Support grows for Cefneithin allotments

It’s not just fruit and vegetables growing at Cefneithin’s community allotment – support for the scheme is growing too!
The Growing Spaces project has certainly started to take root, with more people becoming involved to plant, tend for and pick fresh produce for their kitchens.
Launched earlier this year, the allotment was a community initiative involving village residents, tenants and schoolchildren, with support from their local councillor and the Community Engagement Team from Carmarthenshire County Council’s housing department.
Several raised beds were created, as well as sheds to store tools, and water butts to collect rainwater.
And now, thanks to a £5,000 Awards for All grant and a £250 cheque from the Co-operative store in nearby Cross Hands, there’s more plans in the pipeline.
Community Engagement Officer Janet Griffiths said: “The local community has really embraced this project, and you will often find people of all ages here working together to look after the fruit and vegetables that have been planted.
“With support from the Co-op, we can invest in more resources to help the allotment grow further still. The community is very grateful for Co-op’s donation, also the help their staff gave to fit troughs and soffits as part of their community benefit work.”
Cllr Terry Davies, who has backed the scheme from the beginning, said it’s not too late to join in the action.
“There are a few beds that are still available for anyone who wants to come along and have a go.
“There’s plenty of people here to support you and help you get started – you don’t have to be a gardener, just be willing to get stuck in.”
Cefneithin Growing Spaces is one of several community-based schemes the council has supported across Carmarthenshire as part of its £220millionCarmarthenshire Homes Standard investment.
The CHS programme, due for completion in 2015, has seen improvements made to 9,000 council homes and their surrounding communities.
Cllr Tegwen Devichand, executive board member for housing, said: “The Carmarthenshire Homes Standard continues to improve the wellbeing of thousands of residents, and the Cefneithin Growing Spaces project is yet another example of how we’ve supported a community to pull together and create a lasting legacy.”
The project has also benefitted from Local Environmental Quality funding from Welsh Government.
If you’re interested in using the allotment, call Cllr Terry Davies on 01269 842784