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Barlaston Compost - Stafford and Rural Homes - SARH

Bumper crop expected after composter quiz win

Posted on 6th February 2017

A community allotment in Barlaston is set for a bumper crop of fruit and veg in 2017 after plot holders were presented with a vital piece of equipment – a composter.

The new composter will also help them to keep the allotment clean and tidy as they prepare for a new growing season with the help of the area’s largest landlord, Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH).

First presented to SARH at the Stafford Borough Council (SBC) Green Awards, the composter has found a new home in Brookhouse Drive, Barlaston after allotment volunteers won a fun quiz staged by the housing association.

Laura MacPhee, Customer Engagement Advisor at SARH, explained: “We originally won the composter in recognition of our work, in partnership with the council, on the Growing Health project.

“This has seen a number of derelict plots of land across the borough transformed into thriving allotments where local residents and community groups can grow their own fresh food.

“To decide which allotment should benefit from the composter we ran a fun quiz that was eventually won by volunteers who tend the allotment in Brookhouse Drive.”

As well as some general knowledge questions, the quiz also tested volunteers on what they have learnt during a series of mentoring sessions staged over the past seven months.

The sessions were a key ingredient of the Growing Health project which has won several awards for helping members of local communities improve their health, increase physical activity, boost confidence and provide them with a wide range of life skills.

One of the Barlaston allotment holders, Martin Lee, commented: “We are truly honoured to have won the competition. The allotment was in desperate need of a new composter, as the old one was full to burst!

“We can now get ready for a busy spring by packing away the dead leaves and weeds to make some fresh compost for this year’s crops.”

Pictured left, Martin Lee from Barlaston allotment and right, Laura MacPhee, Customer Engagement Advisor at SARH install the composter over the festive season.