News / KNowle West
Community allotment and forest school to close
A community allotment in Bristol is to close following funding cuts.
The Let’s Grow Community Allotment in Knowle West is a “green haven” with an orchard, vegetable patch and polytunnels.
But the charity that runs the space, which also has a forest school area, says it can no longer afford to do so.
is needed now More than ever
“Sadly it is true that we shall be giving up the allotment after 10 very good years there,” said Edward Duffield, a trustee for Knowle West Health Association (KWHA).
“It is a large site and expensive to keep in tip-top order.”
The 1.3 acre plot is part of the Springfield Allotments and at the top of the Northern Slopes, giving it a view over Bristol.
The Let’s Grow Community Allotment in Knowle West is set to close by the end of the year. Photo by Charlie Watts
Edward says the decision to shut down the space, which opened in 2012, is in response to the expiry of two major grants from the Henry Smith Charity and Tudor Trust.
He added: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the charity funding picture which has become very difficult indeed.
“It means we are now needing to spread our remaining funds to meet the greatest needs and have the highest impact, and it simply won’t stretch to keeping the allotment.”
Following the closure of the allotment, KWHA will be focusing on its three other areas of work: a free counselling service, community kitchen classes and a friendship club for the elderly.
Once it closes, the site will be handed to Bristol City Council, who have been contacted for comment.
Charlie Watts is reporting on Knowle West as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a pilot project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media
Main photo by Charlie Watts
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