GARDENERS in Okehampton can look forward to a blooming future thanks to the opening of first class new allotments on the edge of the town. With around half of the plot-holders being young people, the future for home-grown produce in the town looks bright. The Fatherford Road Allotments were officially opened last Saturday. Allotments holders rent their plots from the Okehampton United Charity, which has spent more than £150,000 transforming the site into one of the best facilities of its kind in the county. The charity has responsibility for providing allotments spaces for the people of the town. Tony Dion, secretary of the Fatherford Road Allotment Association said fruits, vegetables and plants would be grown on the plots for many years to come. ?Half of the plot-holders are young people. We have got young families because it is a good way to introduce children to gardening. ?One of the plot-holders is a third generation allotment holder here in Okehampton and he has a grandson who wants to take on his plot too.? Mr Dion said the paths between the plots had been designed with a layout to ensure easy access for gardeners. One plot is given over to students at Okehampton College, so they can learn more about growing their own produce and about composting. Another has been specifically designed to allow users with disabilities from the Leaze Centre to have their own area to look after and grow plants in. The new allotments have proved popular, with all but one of the 32 plots already taken up. After the previous allotment site along Exeter Road was sold for housing development, the Okehampton United Charity set about what proved to be a long journey, finding a new home for displaced allotment holders. Cllr Christine Marsh, a trustee of the Okehampton United Charity, wanted to assure the allotment holders they would be ?safe here for many years?. She said: ?It is a community here, not just a group of allotment holders. It is inspiring. ?It is nice to see the diverse range of things you have been growing and all the plots are looking really good.? Mayor of Okehampton Cllr Frances Luxton conducted the official opening, as a number of the allotment holders looked on. She said: ?I was lucky enough to be given a tour and I was impressed. You have not been here long and the gardens are looking wonderful. I wish you all the best for the future.? The association has set aside a parcel of land at the bottom of the site to create a 25-tree heritage orchard, where a number of long-established Devon and Dorset apple varieties will be grown. The group were awarded a £3,000 Lottery grant to create the orchard which will feature a range of dessert, culinary and cider apples. The first eight trees will be planted this December with a further 12 planted a year later. Mr Dion said in his research for the project, he had discovered the existence of an Okehampton plum. Known as the Chrislin plum and dating from the early 1800s, the variety will also be planted in the orchard. The grant money has also paid for the creation of a communal shed to be used for educational and communication purposes. The association raised £167.39 from a raffle during the day and expressed thanks to all the businesses who donated draw prizes.
