We have been successful in obtaining £19,976 of grant funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to implement our ‘Enhancing Greenspace in the City project’.
The funded works include : (i) upgrading 232m of decayed paths, not currently wheelchair accessible; (ii) 50m of gapping-up native hedging; (iii) installing furniture for public use on the central Common Plot.
Thanks to the National Lottery and one and all for their efforts.
Northumbria in Bloom deemed St Margaret’s “BEST ALLOTMENTS” in 2025!
“These allotments are understandably popular in the local community and there is a long waiting list! Access via the main paths is open and the public can also enjoy the views of the plots and the Cathedral from the site. Members enjoy the wide range of wildlife and the communal area where excess crops can be shared. Composting and water conservation are very important, and many allotment holders have adopted a no-dig policy.”
A warm welcome to the plotholders who’ve joined us recently.
Say hello if you see them on their plots!
Goodbye to those who’ve given up their plots:
*A note of gratitude to Helen and Scott for their tremendous contributitions to many events and working groups during their time with SMAA. Please don’t be strangers!
Finally, a special and heartfelt farewell to a long-standing member of our allotment community. Ruth on Plot 60 sadly passed away last year and will be greatly missed.
We are very grateful to Tony Gibson, of the Durham Bird Club and Northumbria Ringing Group, who arranged for sponsored birdboxes to be made, and then spent a very wet morning (assisted by a group of plot holders) putting them up around the allotments. The birdboxes were sponsored by plot holders and we also have the bonus of a tawny owl box on the Common Plot.
At the Nature Day on 23 May, Tony will be leading an inspection of the boxes in addition to regular inspections throughout the year. If there are chicks, we understand that his plan is to ring them, so that their progress can be followed subsequently.