Cheadle Allotments Society Grows Funds for Moorlands Home Link

Sunday, 13th of July saw Cheadle Allotments Society open their gates to the public for what has become an annual fundraising event. Situated to the west of Cheadle, Staffs, the allotments society has always been a place for a strong community to work together.

Funds raised are split into two areas with the gate money (admission price of £5) being passed to the National Garden Scheme whose charities include: Marie Curie, Macmillan Cancer Support, Carers Trust, The Queen's Nursing Institute, Hospice UK, and Parkinson's UK. Last year the organisation raised over 3.5 million pounds for their chosen charities. The Allotments Society is donating £405 to the scheme on this occasion.

The other funds, £546, went to Moorlands Home Link, who now more than ever, needs support, having recently experienced a challenging funding cut while demand for their service remains very strong.

Pictured Margaret and Carmen, members of Cheadle Allotment Society

Visitors were greeted warmly by members, who have an allotted plot on the site and visitors were allowed to wander freely through many of these beautiful spaces, admiring the ingenuity, beauty, and skill of this grower community. Accompanied by a fantastic plant sale, afternoon tea by the tree, and a colourful home-grown raffle, there was much to see. The success of the site is as much a testament to the preparation made to the land as it is to the dedication of the growers.

We caught up with Margaret, a founding member who championed the allotment space into being. The space was provided to the group by a local landowner, Adrian Charles Barker, who leased the land to the town council so that allotments could be provided for local community use. His support was invaluable in establishing the allotments.

Members of all ages and both sexes worked shoulder to shoulder to put in the limestone drive, water supply, gravel drive, disabled toilet, and other facilities. There is a real sense of community here, and a more peaceful place you couldn't find even on a busy afternoon. Margaret told us tale after tale of who had helped, what they had done, and the difference it's made. This was accompanied by a scrapbook-style display immortalising those important efforts. I was humbled and inspired by everyone involved, and many are pictured below.

The allotment society regularly provides fresh fruit and veg for the Home Link cooks to prepare meals for both the day centre and the meals on wheels services. A day dedicated to fundraising for this worthy cause turned out to be a spectacularly enjoyable, sunny Sunday. Additionally, prize winners donated their veggie hampers to the charity in another lovely show of solidarity.

This visitor came away with a deeper understanding of the difference a daily watering makes, a bunch of ideas for next season, having had a pleasant afternoon with new and old friends, and a beautiful addition to my plot in the form of a magnificent purple hosta at a bargain price, and having made a donation to a most worthwhile cause.

COGNEWS wishes the group the best of weather and opportunities for the coming seasons.

Cheadle Allotments Society Grows Funds for Moorlands Home Link - created 14.7.25