The growing season has started with a frenzy at the South Undercliff allotments. The wet and sunny conditions of the last week were something worth celebrating and the allotment holders came together for their first barbecue of the year on Saturday May 20.
The South Undercliff allotmenteers are a friendly and sociable bunch and over 40 allotment holders and their friends basked in the setting sun eating a range of barbecued meats, freshly cooked breads and vegetarian halloumi kebabs.
The barbecue was also the first time that the plot holders had informally gathered since setting up the Rye South Undercliff Allotment Group. The group was set up earlier in the year to manage the running of the allotment and to raise subscriptions to join the National Allotment Society. Membership also offers a 10% discount at the Pette Shoppe on the High Street on everything to do with gardening.
The South Undercliff allotments and its sister site on Love Lane, will still be controlled by the Rye Community Interest Company (Rye CIC), which was granted a 15 year lease for both sites on December 1, 2013. The newly set up South Undercliff Allotment Group will focus on the day-to-day needs of its allotment holders and have the ability to purchase equipment that can be shared amongst all the allotmenteers on the site.
Photo: Kevin McCarthy