Cheltenham’s allotments are places to grow food, share knowledge and enjoy the outdoors. A new award is recognising the plot holders who are making space for nature alongside their fruit and vegetables.
When Councillor Paul Baker first took on responsibility for allotments at Cheltenham Borough Council, he arranged a tour of the town’s nine allotment sites managed by CBC. It was his first ever visit to an allotment.
What struck him was the sense of calm and quiet, with people enjoying fresh air, exercise and time outdoors. There was also the pleasure of being surrounded by nature: plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables, bees, birds and butterflies.
Paul began to see the potential for allotments to do even more for wildlife. He also noticed that many plot holders were already adopting nature-friendly practices. His idea was to create an award that would recognise their efforts, raise awareness and encourage others to follow their example.
Celebrating space for wildlife
The new Biodiversity on Allotments award was introduced this year as part of Cheltenham Borough Council’s annual allotment competition.
The aim is to celebrate plots that combine growing food with looking after nature. Judges were looking for practices such as avoiding pesticides and artificial fertilisers, making compost, harvesting rainwater, planting wildflowers and flowers, and providing features such as small water habitats or bee hotels.
These measures can benefit wildlife while helping allotment holders grow their crops. Healthy soil, flowering plants and pollinating insects all have a part to play in a productive plot. Making compost and collecting rainwater can also help reduce costs and make better use of resources.
As Paul points out, allotments offer a particular opportunity. Their size means they can provide valuable space for nature, alongside the important job of producing fresh fruit and vegetables.
Recognising the people making a difference
This year’s competition saw a strong response to the new award. Across Cheltenham, plot holders Andrew, Gina, Heather and Elle won awards, with Brenda taking home the top prize.
Their recognition sits alongside the many other achievements celebrated across the town’s allotments, from new tenants transforming their first plots to community growing spaces and volunteers giving their time to support their sites.
Together, these activities show how allotments can bring people and nature together, while helping people grow food and build connections with those around them.
Small changes, lasting benefits
Paul hopes the award will encourage more allotment holders to explore nature-friendly ways of working. By sharing examples of what is possible, he wants to show that supporting wildlife does not mean giving up on growing food. The two can work hand in hand.
Whether it’s making compost, leaving room for flowers, collecting rainwater or reducing the use of pesticides, small changes across a whole allotment site can add up. And the new award gives those efforts something important: recognition, and a chance for other growers to learn from them.
