12 Jun 2026
A derelict wasteland has been transformed into a blossoming community allotment thanks to the dedication and commitment of local volunteers.
An unused and overgrown plot on the edge of the Sopwell Mill allotment has now been given a new lease of life as an Inclusive Community Allotment.
Situated just 500m from Cottonmill Community Centre – the base for activities by community interest company LeeAnna’s Wish – the site was previously overgrown and unsightly, attracting fly tipping and antisocial behaviour and was considered unsafe and avoided by most community members.
But a hard-working team of volunteers spent a year turning the site into an accessible and inclusive space for the whole community to enjoy, complete with raised planting beds, a greenhouse and a lockable shed for tools.
It is now hoped that the space will become a hub for community members to socialise and form meaningful friendships, reducing isolation and loneliness while getting stuck in with some gardening.
The site was officially opened last Friday – World Environment Day – with a ceremony attended by St Albans Mayor Cllr Matt Fisher, Deputy Lieutenant of Herts Annie Brewster, and other representatives from the local community.
Shelley Hayles, founder and CEO of LeeAnna’s Wish CIC, explained: “This is just another one of our projects, another one of our safe spaces for people to come and use, and I think it just shows that to be truly inclusive, you need to build from the ground up and get the people who are going to be benefiting from it to be part of that creation.”
The Mayor said: “Community spaces like this don’t happen overnight. They are created through vision, partnership, hard work and a shared belief that communities are stronger when people come together. So for me, this project is what I would like to call a no-brainer.
“At a time when many families continue to face the pressures of the cost of living crisis, this allotment will help people grow fresh, healthy food close to home. It’ll encourage people to spend time outdoors, improve their physical and their mental well-being and provide opportunities to learn new skills, and perhaps most importantly, it will bring people together.
“At its heart, this allotment meets some of our most basic human needs: food, friendship, purpose and belonging. It creates a space where people can come together and feel part of something bigger than themselves.
“This allotment exists because people have chosen to give it their time, skills, energy and care and benefit of others. Through that service, stronger connections are formed, communities are strengthened and people find a greater sense of belonging.
“Individuals benefit, families benefit, the communities benefit and the environment benefits through local food production, biodiversity and sustainable living.
“This project shows how a simple idea can deliver so many positive outcomes.
“The simple act of planting a seed and watching it grow reminds us that good things take time, care and commitment. The same is true of communities. When we invest in places like this, we create stronger and healthier and more connected neighbourhoods.
“I’m especially pleased that this is an inclusive community allotment, open to people from all backgrounds and abilities. That spirit of cooperation and community is something truly worth celebrating. And as we officially open this wonderful space today, I look forward to seeing it flourish in the years ahead, producing not only fruit and veg but also friendships, wellbeing and a stronger sense of community.”
Cllr Fisher donated packets of wildflower seeds, adorned with the St Albans cross, as part of his year-long mission to support pollinators, boost biodiversity and make our communities that little bit more bright and colourful.
Annie Brewster added: “Some people talk and some people do, and Shelley, you certainly do. I’ve watched the projects you have delivered and it’s quite sensational.
“I know the battles you’ve had have been extreme, but you make it look so easy, so congratulations on the opening of this allotment and I can’t wait to see how it develops.”
The community allotment will be open on Mondays from 10am to 12 noon, and Thursdays from 12 noon to 5pm.
