Network Ryde, Ryde Town Council’s Youth Service have been kindly donated a new Tiller (Rotovator) by the Rotary Club for their Quarry Road allotment.
During the pandemic, they became proud allotment holders and have worked hard over the past year with groups of young people to completely transform their plot.
A former Victorian bottle dump
The site was very unloved before the youth service took it over, and was formerly a Victorian bottle dump, which made digging the soil very hard going.
The Rotary Club first approached Network Ryde as Rotarian, Paul Ferguson, had an old rotovator which he hoped Harwoods Garage would be able to renovate to donate to Network Ryde.
Ferguson: Quicker to buy a new one
Ryde Rotarian, Paul Ferguson comments,
“I wanted to donate my old tiller to the group at Network Ryde, to help with the digging, I took it to Harwoods Garage to have it serviced.
“It needed a safety handle fitted and after months of searching no handle could be found! Jo Harwood kindly decided it would be quicker to buy a new one. Thank you Harwoods.”
Already been put to good use
Finding equipment during a pandemic, is harder than you think, as the production and supply chains were affected. But after many months of searching, the Rotary Club were finally able to purchase a tiller which was suitable for Network Ryde and their young people to use.
The tiller has already been put to good use, and the young people are very excited to be entrusted with a new piece of kit.
Swan: Re-designing plot over the winter
Becky Swan (Youth Work Manager) said,
“We are so grateful to the Rotary Club for donating this vital piece of equipment.
“We are looking forward to re-designing our plot over the winter, ready for a new season of growing, and the tiller will make the ground a lot more workable.”
Want to get involved?
Network Ryde currently work with two groups of boys from Ryde Academy at their allotment, as well as a general allotment session on a Saturday morning (10am-12pm).
If you’re a young person (School Years 8-13) and have an interest in gardening and enjoy being outside, please message to find out more.
The allotment’s progress is well documented via Network Ryde’s social media platforms; and all the work is young person lead, encouraging opportunities for creativity and imagination.
Image: At the allotment gate (L-R) David Langdon (Rotary Club President), Paul Ferguson (Rotary Club, Ryde Hub link), Jo Harwood
News shared by Jo on behalf of Network Ryde. Ed
