Burys allotments work to save willow tree

Bathtubs, rusty tools and broken down sheds are among the items Godalming Town Council workers are planning to clear from The Burys allotments.

The town council has agreed funding to help meet the cost of taking away the junk - and aiding current allotment owners to keep the area clear.

In a report to the council's Policy and Management Committee this week, councillors were told: "Although improvement works have been undertaken by Surrey County Council and Godalming Town Council to improve the footpath and fencing, the allotment site itself continues to house 30-plus years of detritus, the majority of which cannot be claimed by the current tenants."

The report added that the site "requires significant clearance".

In addition to the junk, there is also "a significant amount of green waste, much of which contains mares tail and ragwort," according to the report.

"This green waste is accumulated all around the allotments, close to the hedge and under the large willow tree," it says, adding that the accumulation had the effect of raising the soil level around the tree and affecting its ability to get oxygen through its roots. Failing to clear the waste could spell disaster for the willow.

The hedge at the back of the allotments is also suffering; it has gaps in it due to a lack of sunlight caused by the accumulated waste at its base, and councillors were told the waste needs to be taken away and the height of the hedge reduced to about six feet. This will allow light in to help the hedge grow back.

Other measures to tidy up the area include keeping all green waste in one space and improving the paths between plots.

Councillors were told: "Current tenants have shown a willingness to support the tidying up and clearing of the site, however, some of the work, such as use of mechanical excavators and soil sorters, requires specialist support."

The work will cost £2,500. Outlining the plan at the meeting, town clerk Andy Jeffery said: "A lot of allotment holders are very good at growing vegetables but rather poor at keeping their site tidy." He added that removing the waste at the base of the willow tree would assure its long-term survival. And he said that allotment holders on the site were willing to help with the clearup. "Underneath the hedge is years and years and years of leaves. There are mare's tails and ragwort. It needs to be cleared so a proper compost scheme can be put in there," he added. Councillor Jo Purvis voiced fears about damage to the biodiversity of the hedge, and particularly hedgehogs that could be sheltering underneath it. But Mr Jeffery assured her the area would be checked for hedgehogs, nesting birds and other small mammals before work commenced. The work is scheduled to take place in September.