IT IS just a couple of weeks since a shock eviction notice was given to the tenants of Coombe Allotments near Wotton-under-Edge and the allotment holders have already received a great deal of support – including that from politicians campaigning for the May 7 election.

With the election looming, all five parliamentary candidates for the Cotswolds constituency have been invited to look around the site and talk to the concerned group.

Two have already paid a visit to the site and voiced their full support to keep Coombe Allotments as working gardens.

First to attend was Liberal Democrat candidate Paul Hodgkinson, accompanied by Ken Tucker, of Wotton, who is standing in the Stroud District Council elections.

While there, both listened to the case for conservation of the allotments as a productive, green community hub and then both spoke of their support for the community and their campaign.

On Easter Sunday the Green Party’s Penny Burgess spent an hour on the allotments chatting to villagers.

She said: "This world we live in is going the wrong way, and this is a horrible example.

“We should be protecting and promoting these wonderful assets. We should be creating more allotments so that anyone who wants one can have one.

“I'll be helping the Fight for Coombe campaign by every means I can. If I'm elected as MP for The Cotswolds, I will fight everyday to keep these community assets for all my constituents.”

She continued: "With so many of our beautiful villages across The Cotswolds becoming dormitories for commuters or the preserve of second home owners, the protection of assets that enhance community cohesion are vital."

Tenants say visits are expected soon from the Conservative and Labour parliamentary candidates and other SDC candidates.

It was on Saturday, March 21, when the tenants of the allotments, some of whom have been using the site for more than 40 years, first received the unexpected notice to quit from their landlady Sue Ballinger via Loxley Solicitors.

Norman Dadd, 71, of Coombe, said: "It was awful - like getting a knock on the door from bailiffs."

When approached by the Gazette Ms Ballinger declined to comment - however a letter sent by her to tenants stated that she required the land back to use as grazing land for her horses.

Since then their campaign has gone from strength to strength with a wide-range of support from around the country and a successful Twitter account.

Keep up to date with the group by following @FightforCoombe.