There are allotments in Buxted and it could be easier to rent one than you might think. There is currently no waiting list and the horror stories from other sites around the country of having to wait years simply don’t exist here in our lovely village.

There are so many benefits in renting an allotment for adults and children alike. There are the health benefits. For example, NHS guidance suggests that adults should exercise every day and doing some physical activity twice a week can reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke. Getting out into the fresh air and growing some of your own food can benefit mental health as well. Renting an allotment can help to meet the five NHS-recommended steps to improve mental health. These are: 1) connecting with other people to share positive experiences; 2) be physically active; 3) learn new skills; 4) giving to others and 5) paying attention to the present.

There’s also the added benefit of having some control over what goes into some of your food. Ever wondered about the trade-offs that have to be made to get that straight, beautifully proportioned carrot into the supermarket rather than the wonky, slightly discoloured one grown on an allotment? And it can also save you money particularly now that the price of food in the shops is rocketing. Just getting a few months’ worth of potatoes or onions from your plot can save a lot on the grocery bill.

And… what about the kids? What an education an allotment can be. It can help youngsters connect with nature. Not only is the site surrounded by trees and open countryside; there’s also a wildlife area on the site just waiting to be explored. It can also help your children to understand where their food comes from and the environmental costs of getting food on the table.

If this has whetted your appetite, then read more about the allotments on the Parish Council’s website. You could make a decision that could change your, or your children’s, life. Worth thinking about!