By Monica Chard
At the end of 2018 Shepperton Matters made a plea on behalf of the Shepperton Allotments who were looking to raise funds to build a toilet block. With outside space and fresh air being ever more im-portant for our mental well being, it was a much needed facility to enable allotments holders to spend longer on site. The old portaloos left much to be desired, with many refusing the use them, and those with mobility restrictions unable to access anyway. With increasing numbers of family mem-bers, with young children and even babies, it was clear that better facilities were needed.
Well, fast forward 3 years and John, Ray and Liz from the allotment committee welcomed me back one sunny September day to see how they had progressed. Not only have they got fresh and clean toilets and a communal shelter for events, but they are in the process of completing a community shed with outdoor space, perfect for gathering in safety during these times of Covid. Great facilities do not come cheap however, and the journey of funding has been quite something. Fund raising was kicked off with the article in Shepperton Matters and a resident donating £100 simply because she “had always appreciated the open space provided by the allotments”, even if she did not have one herself. The committee set to raising funds any which way; bric-a-brac sale at Big Tree Night, selling plants outside the village hall and selling all sorts at their own spring sale. Individual plot holders added to the pot with one generous £1000 single donation. Admirable as this was, it left them a long way from their target of £20,000. so they started looking for corporate sponsorship and grant applications and managed to get to the magic figure. Organisations supporting the project include the National Lottery Communi-ty Fund, Heathrow Community Fund, Shanly Foundation, Shepperton Parish Charities, Tesco Bags for Help, Surrey County Council, Spelthorne Borough Council the Greeno Shed and the Rotary club. Novaglass donated the windows in the toilet block.
The main sewer connection was the main cost and had to be laid 3 meters down.
The result after much work and effort by many is mains toilets with full wheelchair access and baby changing facilities in place. Established in 1862, Shepperton Village allotment site has always been held in high regard in the local community and beyond. The addition of these new facilities will hopefully enable them to maintain this reputation and continue to provide an important, healthy, recreational service for Spelthorne residents for many years to come.