ALLOTMENT holders in Kingswood were celebrating last weekend after it was announced that they had won a regional award.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) in Gloucestershire awarded the Kingswood Allotment Association for its positive impact on the community.

It stated that the scheme was “creating and managing sustainable new allotments which provide opportunities for local residents to grow their own food and foster biodiversity, whilst enjoying the benefits of shared knowledge and a growing sense of community.”

The site, which was just an empty field six months ago, has been turned into a productive green haven by local residents, with first crops having been harvested already.

This achievement was seen as even more astonishing given the amount rules they must abide by in setting up the scheme in a Great Crested Newt protection area.

Janine Crocker, chairman of the Kingswood Allotment Association, said the award came as a surprise but the scheme had been bringing “real joy” to the community.

“This award comes as a big surprise, so soon after creating the allotments,” she said.

“It has been a real joy seeing the community come together to set the site up and grow what for many were their first ever crops.

“Along the way, we have all learned a lot about the Great Crested Newts and how we can manage our plots without causing them any harm.

“The award is a true testament to the impact the allotments have had on the local community – the many new friends we have been able to make through a shared sense of achievement and the interest in growing vegetables we have roused in our children.”

Kingswood Parish Council chairman David Rockey praised the project as a great asset for the community.

"We are thrilled to receive this award recognising the hard work and innovative ideas the team have had in overcoming the challenges of maintaining the newts and other wildlife in creating these allotments for the village,” he said.

“This is great asset for the village and it is wonderful to see families working together to grow their own food."