ONGAR: Allotment hopefuls urged to join society

A NEW society has been set up for anyone with a passion for gardening and a desire to run their own allotment.

Plot holders in Castle Street, Ongar, are reaching out to like-minded members of the community who might not be fortunate enough to have their own patch.

Terry Young, membership secretary for Ongar Allotments and Gardening Society, is encouraging people to sign up and take part in regular social events while waiting for an allotment to become available.

Mr Young said: "We are always looking to recruit new members and it's not just for people who have a plot."

The society plans to organise talks by gardening experts along with regular trips, quiz nights and appearances at local horticultural shows.

Joining the society allows people to expand their gardening knowledge and, when an allotment does become free, they will be informed.

"The town council keeps a list of people interested so the person on the top of the list will be contacted to see if they still want it," Mr Young said.

There are currently more than 30 allotment-holders on the Castle Street site, which used to be a vineyard and forms part of the moat that once surrounded Ongar Castle.

Mr Young, 60, has had a plot there for many years and said: "It's marvellous. If you are having pressures at work or anything you can just go down there on an evening and it's so quiet and peaceful.

"It's very therapeutic and on summer evenings my wife and I could be down there until 10 o'clock at night."

Ongar Allotments and Gardening Society provides free compost for members to use on their plot and also sells seeds and bulbs at a reduced cost.

Anyone interested in joining the society should contact Mr Young on 01277 369577 or email terry_young1@hotmail.com

Despite the waiting list for an allotment, a former vegetable patch at Cooper's Hill still lies overgrown since its plot-holders were moved from the site in November 2008. It is believed the site is earmarked for development.