Community & Charity
The Club does not exist exclusively for the benefit of members, but for the benefit of the whole community. Our trading operation and the allotments support some community and charity activities below.
If you would like to become involved in any of these projects, please contact us. We always welcome new volunteers, as the gardening club, allotments and community and charity projects are run solely by our wonderful volunteers. Please use the ‘Contact Us’ form or pop into the Shop if you would like more details.
The Butterfly Garden
This is the area at the beginning of the station roundabout footpath is maintained by Bishops Waltham Gardening Club and helps support wildlife, as well as providing a very pleasant place to spend some time. Many plants are labelled, for interest and educational purposes.
Community Orchard
In November 2015 the Community Orchard at Priory Meadow was planted by Bishops Waltham Gardening Club for use by all the residents of Bishops Waltham. It mainly has crab apples, which are tough enough for this rather wet site.
To get to the orchard, walk, cycle or drive to the car park off Elizabeth Way (SO32 1SQ), then walk past the Priory Park Clubhouse and the football pitches. Priory Meadow is the field below the bottom football pitch What3words///energetic.autumn.digress
There is no access to Priory Meadow for vehicles without permission from the Parish Council.
Plant Sale
Each year, we hold our popular plant sale at The Allotment Shed on Albany Road. This helps to raise charity club funds and offer everyone the chance to buy a wide variety of quality plants: flowers, vegetables, herbs, foliage, annuals and perennials,
all at great prices.
We invite you to join us for tea, coffee, and a
selection of delicious home-made cakes. Everyone
is welcome.
Annual Show
The big event for us every year is our open show. As the name implies, it is open for anyone to enter, with competitions for the best fruit, flowers, vegetables, crafts, cakes, homemade tipples and preserves. There is a children’s and novices’ section, for those new to showing.
Refreshments are available and a raffle, and near the end of the day many of the exhibits are auctioned off, so it’s a great opportunity to pick up some fruit, flowers or cakes at a great price.
Student Sponsorship
BWGC sponsor a horticultural student – the details vary from year to year depending on the needs of the student in question. In the past this has enabled students to fund their course fees or purchase equipment needed to complete their studies.
Supporting Local Community Events
BWGC have an annual stall at St Peter’s Country Fayre, where we give children bulbs and teach them how to plant them. It is so gratifying when they return year after year to talk about how their plants have thrived.
We are increasingly reaching out to the wider community, especially children, to teach them about gardening and where their food comes from. There are many allotment holders who have families with young children.
Food Bank Donations
Finally, BWGC have established a programme to support the Wickham Pantry food bank, which helps provide food for those who need it in the local community. Excess produce from the allotments is taken to the Pantry every Sunday, which is then distributed to Pantry customers throughout the week.
