HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Several years ago some members of the communities of Agbrigg & Belle Vue began to meet and give their views on what was needed to improve the area, this group had many allotment holders amongst its number.

Out of these meetings eventually came an organisation called the Agbrigg & Belle Vue Community Group which evolved to become the Agbrigg & Belle Vue Community Association.

This group put in a successful funding bid to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the National Lottery via a WMDC initiative called 'Transforming Your Space'.

Together with funding from the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB 6) enough money was made available for regeneration of local allotment sites.

The Straw Bale building is one of the last elements of this project. It is designed to have low running costs as the straw used gives it 'super-insulation', it will have a living green sedum planted roof which minimises water run-off and some local people will have been involved in its construction by training 'on the job'.

This low-tech building will be part of the allotment site and will hold a meeting and training room, a kitchen for 'cook and eat' sessions using allotment produce and a very interesting 'composting toilet'.

                                                         Jean Richardson