SKIPTON Middletown Allotment Association have been putting the finishing touches to their new community hub.

Skipton Town Council donated a plot on the Middletown allotments site and the group have been fundraising for a shed and other facilities for the site.

The plot until very recently was a wilderness but it has been cleared by SMAA volunteers, keeping to social distancing rules.

Their vision is to create a Community Hub where allotment holders can gather around a central theme of enjoying growing food and rearing chickens in an eco-friendly way.

The group plan to create a base where anyone involved or interested in allotments can exchange ideas, offer advice and help, and swap and share seeds, plants and other allotment produce.

They also hope the hub can become a focus for information about sustainable gardening from local and national schemes.

An application was submitted to the Craven District Council Ward Grant Scheme for funding for a sizable shed to make the hub a reality.

The group thanks councillors David Noland, Andy Solloway, Robert Heseltine and Paul Whitaker for their contributions. SMAA would also like to thank Craven and District Rotary Club and Skipton Mechanics Institute for additional grant money.

Skipton Middletown Allotment Association is affiliated to the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardens.

As well as being part of the SMAA community, benefits of membership include access to the NSALG website and information, personal liability insurance, and opportunities to purchase seeds, plants and gardening equipment at reduced prices.

If you are an allotment holder at Middletown Allotments and would like to know more or join Skipton Middletown Allotment Association, please get in touch with them at smaamail201@gmail.com.