ONLY six allotment holders were ploughing lonely furrows out of 28 plots in Lockwood.

But now every plot is in action and there is even a waiting list.

The amazing turnaround came after a group of gardeners managed to dig up some community cash.

Most of the pitches at the Taylor Hill Road allotments in Lockwood were lying unused until determined members launched a new group to promote them.

Now after forming the Lockwood Church Allotment Association, the group has transformed the allotments into a bustling epicentre for vegetable growing and gardening.

Treasurer Tom McGarrell said the project had only been possible after they discovered a government scheme called Grassroots Grants.

The group was given a £3,000 cash boost by the Kirklees branch of the scheme and has now put the cash into action.

Treasurer Tom McGarrell said he had been on the allotments for 16 years and was pleased to see them finally being used.

“There were only a few plot holders – six out of 28 plots were in use,’’ he said.

“Over the years a lot of them had been neglected so we decided to do something to turn them around.

“As we got more people to take on vacant plots, we thought we needed to get financial help.

“There was a funding event at Newsome Working Men’s Club and we went along to see if we could get any help.

“We were put in touch with Grassroots Grants Kirklees and with the help of the staff we were able to form a constitution.

“Now all the allotment plots are full and we have a waiting list.”

Mr McGarrell said they were delighted with the grant and would recommend the scheme to anyone who needed funding for any reason.

The allotment association also received help from Kirklees Council in providing water facilities, laying a new access track and building a shelter.

Grassroots Grants Kirklees offers cash between £900 and £5,000 to any community group in the region.

Groups awarded cash so far include several Huddersfield scouts, Thornton Lodge Action Group, Colne Valley Museum, Huddersfield St Patrick’s Day Parade Association and Paddock Cricket Club.

The grants are available until the end of the year and it operates a rolling programme with decisions being made on a regular basis.

Groups need to have an income of less than £30,000 and have formed a constitution.

Info: www.cffc.co.uk/grants/grassroots/kirklees/ or call 01484 518457.