Official Opening on 31st August 2011

The Mayor of Harrow opened the Shaw Trust’s new horticultural project on Newton Park East allotments, formerly the site of the old Earth Project. The Trust was one of three strong bids for this important community resource, and it will continue the work of the Earth Project which was opened in 2007 by the Countess of Wessex.

Diana Dolman, our Harrow in Leaf representative for Headstone Allotment and Garden Association, was invited to attend the opening on our behalf...

Diana reports:

“Three weeks earlier, it had been a wilderness after its period of abandonment, and they had all worked very hard to get it usable. By the day of the opening, the earth had been cleared and prepared for cultivation and crops were already growing in raised beds with other plants in the polytunnel. We were shown round by some of the students, who were justifiably proud of their achievements. We were impressed by the difference between the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos on display in the classrooms.”

The Shaw Trust

The Shaw Trust is a horticultural charity that provides opportunities and training for those with learning disabilities and for the disadvantaged, running over 100 projects across the UK. The students not only learn about horticulture and healthy eating but also acquire skills for employment, and will grow crops for the Shaw Trust’s café in Richards Close, Harrow.

About the site

Located at Newton Park East allotments, Alexandra Avenue, HA2 9DX

The land adjoining the site was originally a council depotand was developed in 1990 as Newton Ecology Park . It contains areas such as wet and dry meadows, woodland and a large pond. The pond has had decking installed for pond dipping and a bicycle track has been completed.

It is hoped to develop the area further with nature trails and information leaflets.

A warden has been appointed and she works closely with the Harrow in Leaf representatives for Newton Park and the Horticultural Society.

In 2007 land at the rear of these allotments was developed into a horticultural learning centre by Harrow Council along with Harrow in Leaf and the Learning Skills Council.

Harrow in Leaf was involved with, and supported, the Earth Project formerly on this site, so we are delighted that Shaw Trust is also one of our affiliated organisations.

We were pleased to have been able to award them a grant of over £400 earlier in 2011 and we look forward to continuing our links with them.