We are delighted to have been able to provide a grant towards this project. 

The Allotment Project is another important new venture made possible by our work with and grant to The Finchley Progressive Synagogue and the OYO Hotel.  They now have an allotment at the Fuel Lands Allotments site which has being made available for community use.

A regular small group of three OYO residents have been working with volunteers to prepare the plot over the winter of 2023 for growing vegetables the following Spring of 2024.

Interestingly the land was originally part of Finchley Common and enclosed in the early 1800’s and was allotted to the ‘poor of Finchley’ by the Parish. It was then let and the income was used to purchase sacks of coal for the poor – hence the name Fuel Land. The Finchley Charities have been running these allotments for over 130 years!

Initially there were a limited number of sessions, primarily due to weather and ground conditions.  The successful first session on was on Mitzvah Day, 19th November.  They cleared a significant area of ground and, with guidance from another plot holder, assembled two large compost bins to contain the vegetation that had been cleared.  The following week the group put down a weed-proof membrane over this area.  It immediately became apparent that they would require suitable footwear and clothing for the allotment (they are dependent on a weekly laundry service at the hotel) and boots, waterproof jackets and joggers were purchased for them.

Good progress is being made on the site and crops are being sown. The asylum seekers working on the allotment have had a great sense of ownership and achievement.  They have really enjoyed the project and have worked very extremely!  It has been a wonderful escape from the considerable stress and anxiety of their lives.  Two members of our group have now been given refugee status and one has already been moved out of London.  They will be recruiting new members and expect to increase the number of regular gardeners from the hotel to five once the weather improves and the growing season gets underway. A growing success!

We are pleased to have been able to provide assistance with this fantastic project.