NEW VILLAGE ALLOTMENTS NOW IN CULTIVATION
	The establishment of St Osyth allotments is a brilliant example of the British democratic process in action and shows that quite small voices can achieve great things of benefit to the community and how others willingly contribute to the success of the project once it becomes Council policy. At the Parish Council meeting of April 16th 2009 two residents, Mr and Mrs Luther addressed the Council, supported by a written request from six other residents’, seeking the provision of some allotments in the Parish. This request was in accordance with the law and required the Council to consider this, which it did by exploring potential sites for such a use. It was agreed that a site for resident’s allotments should be provided.

Entrance. One way traffic in from Clacton Road and out on to the By-Pass Road	The first job was to plough the area before it could be marked out into plots
A look round showing the profusion of garden sheds with car parking to the left	Pictured from the entrance road showing how the area is begining to take shape
Some of our allotment holders giving me a cheery wave as I toured the site	Sonia Grantham our Chairman with one plot holder sorting out a minor problem
Stephanie Smith serving refreshments during the Parish 'Open Gardens' weekend	Youth Club have a plot of their own to use for youth projects in the Village

After a false start prospecting another site, the Hutley family agreed to lease the land above in their ownership, on extremely favourable terms. The Priory had an interest in a small part of the site which after discussion, they agreed could be used for Parish purposes. The entrance to the allotments would be by Clacton Road, exiting on to the B1027 By-Pass Road. The Triangle in the ownership of the Priory would be used for recreation only and rather like a jigsaw puzzle, the land was eventually divided into thirty four five rod plots, to be the village allotments. (for the ignorant such as myself, they are 63ft by 20ft each) These have all now been allocated to residents and were open for use from 6th April 2010. There is now a substantial waiting list! It used to be said that a ten rod plot provided enough food for a family of four, for a whole year - but not on today’s diet I am afraid! The Council provided £6,000 in its capital budget for allotment provision and many items such as planting, ploughing and hedging needed to be undertaken and quotations for this work were left in our Chairman’s hands, with time being of the essence. It would not be possible to mention all those individuals who have brought this project to fruition, such as business men doing work for cost, others working for free outside of normal working hours and certain members of the Parish Council who have given their all, but no one could deny that the driving force behind this project has been Sonia Grantham, our Chairman who has allowed nobody to sleep on the job! To achieve all this in a week short of one year is really quite remarkable. Thanks are also due to our Office staff for the bulk of the administrative work connected with the individual Agreements and Invoices, dealing with the allotment annual charge of £20 plus £5 for water supply. This charge to be reviewed after first year of operation. This project is something of which the whole village can be justly proud! 15/6/10 M.J.T.