A COMMUNITY is growing – vegetables, that is.

Growers last week planted their first crop at the new Almondbury Community Allotment (ACA).

The allotment, next to Almondbury Children’s Centre, will be run as a partnership between the children’s centre, Kirklees Council and Stirley Community Farm in Newsome.

Volunteers started the growing by planting potatoes on site which has been built by offenders serving community service orders.

The allotment, which has 18 growing beds, has been funded by the council’s Altogether Better Kirklees, The One Community Foundation, Holme Valley Gardening Network and the National Lottery Awards For All scheme.

Allotments around Huddersfield have been in short supply but it is hoped the community will share the new spaces.

The space also has composting beds and raised growing beds for people in wheelchairs.

Allotment members are hoping to sell their produce and have a volunteer gardener to teach residents how to grow food in their gardens.

Members expect their first harvest in approximately four months.

The land was formerly used as allotments but had remained unoccupied for decades.

ACA members Ann Denham and Mike Taylor hope the site will bring a community together and teach skills for growing food.

Ms Denham said: “A lot of people have gardens but they don’t know how to grow things and enjoy them.

“People can use their gardens to save money during hard times and it’s a skill that’s been lost. Our parents had allotments and people have lost those basic skills.

“Anybody is welcome to use the allotment; you just have to come to the children’s centre and ask.

“It’s good for the community and it’s social and gives people skills.”

Mr Taylor added: “It’s an environmentally friendly project that’s taken an area of wasteland and utilised it for a good purpose.

“We want to get the parents involved. If we can get them involved they will encourage their children and they will all grow in their gardens.

“It’s bringing the community together and when people pass and see what’s going on it will bring a really positive feel to the village.”

For more information on Almondbury Community Allotment call Marine Yarde on 01484 416752.