[New] Houlton’s green-fingered residents celebrate allotments launch

tennis area, community garden and a pristine yoga lawn.

Plot holders also had the chance to bag themselves an extra special prize of two tickets to Gardeners Live 2023.

The allotments, which are available exclusively to Houlton residents, are the first of three sets of allotments to be delivered at Houlton.

Residents of Houlton have come together to celebrate the launch of Houlton’s first allotments.

The 39 green-fingered enthusiasts, made up of residents of all ages and backgrounds, have gathered to commence their allotment journeys.

Young resident Harry, alongside his father, commemorated the opening with a ceremonious ribbon cutting, officially marking the first phase of allotments open.

Houlton’s master developer Urban&Civic led celebrations by presenting each allotment plot holder with an essential’s starter pack featuring gardening gloves, seed packets and flower scissors.

The welcome packs also included a QR code which linked residents to an exclusive Allotments WhatsApp group, a shared platform where the group could continue networking, swapping stories and sharing tips and tricks for success.

The session continued with an insightful talk from Amber of Bradley Murphy Design, who shared tips on how to plan and plant your space to maximise sunlight and how to manage your plot through the harsher winter months.

The group had a guided tour of Houlton’s new formal open space, which is situated beside the allotments and includes football pitches, table

Kyle Smith, Communications, Communities and Partnerships at Urban&Civic, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to see this first wave of plot holders come together to celebrate the start of their journey. There’s already been talk of an Allotment Association, further education-focused sessions and quarterly get-togethers.

“Residents are excited to work on their allotments which really is no surprise given the current cost-of-living crisis and the desire to take part in outdoor activities. The appetite for plots has been wonderful with many showing an active interest in the mental, social, environmental and physical health benefits gardening can bring to one’s life.”

One resident and plot holder said: “It was great to have a get together to meet other allotment holders and new people. The experienced guest speaker was very informative and made an inexperienced grower like me feel much more confident.”