MEMBERS of Castle Hill Allotments are today reaping what they have sown after being awarded for having the best community project in the country.The allotments, in Larchcroft Road, were given the award by the Kitchen Garden Magazine after ten were short listed around the country.

MEMBERS of Castle Hill Allotments are today reaping what they have sown after being awarded for having the best community project in the country.

The allotments, in Larchcroft Road, were given the award by the Kitchen Garden Magazine after ten were short listed around the country.

The idea was planted two years ago when a committee was formed which decided they wanted to improve the way things ran.

David Savidge, chairman of the allotments, said: “Two years ago the field was run down and we were not doing a lot in the community.

“When the committee was formed we started to look into what we could do to improve things.”

Since then the allotment holders have formed a partnership with pupils of Thomas Wolsey School and Castle Hill Infants School who visit regularly to see how crops are grown.

They have also developed a wildlife area which pupils can see when they visit and have held open days to increase the awareness and raise funds.

Two open days have been held over the last 15 months and have raised £3,000 which has benefited St Elizabeth Hospice and Thomas Wolsey School.

Finally a partnership has been made with Suffolk Crime Concern for projects with young people in the area.

David Savidge said: “The judges came and spent half a day with us and we were left with quite a nice feeling when they went so had an idea we might win the award.

“It is nice to see what can be achieved when people start to pull together and make things happen.”

Prizes for winning the competition included £100 of seed vouchers provided by Kings Seeds and a set of garden equipment provided by Wilkinson Sword and Darlac.

Committee members will hold an event in October where a draw will be held to see who gets to keep the prizes.