A group of green-fingered residents are working to raise £20,000 to improve their allotments in the West Midlands, with an MP now taking up their cause.Members of the Amblecote Allotments Guild in Stourbridge have been tending their plots for many years – and the area has grown so popular there is now a waiting list for people to join.

But the group, which has members of varying ages, says the site desperately needs improvements, including the construction of toilet facilities and improvements to roads around the site.

Members have now called on Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho (pictured centre) for advice on how to find the best sources of funding for such developments and to aid them in their goal.

Read the full story in today’s Express & Star.A group of green-fingered residents are working to raise £20,000 to improve their allotments in the West Midlands, with an MP now taking up their cause.

Members of the Amblecote Allotments Guild in Stourbridge have been tending their plots for many years – and the area has grown so popular there is now a waiting list for people to join.

But the group, which has members of varying ages, says the site desperately needs improvements, including the construction of toilet facilities and improvements to roads around the site.

Members have now called on Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho for advice on how to find the best sources of funding for such developments and to aid them in their goal.

Mrs Waltho was invited to meet members, discuss the improvements and help with information on where to submits the bids for cash.

She said: “It was a really enjoyable visit. I had the opportunity to walk round all of the allotments and to talk to a lot of people about the benefits of having land such as this and about their plans for improving the site.

“Amblecote Allotments is a great community facility providing opportunities for healthy physical activity and company for local residents from the elderly to young mums and their families.

“Nowadays people are increasingly concerned about where their food comes from, pesticides and food miles, not to mention flavour.

“Amblecote allotments have excellent sandy soil and are so popular there is a waiting list to get on site.

“The guild needs about £20, 000 to improve the infrastructure of site and I will be doing everything I can to assist them.”

By Lee Watton

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