A visit to community allotments in Keresley has highlighted how local people are helping to deliver the ambitions of Warwickshire County Council’s Food Plan.
A visit to community allotments in Keresley has highlighted how local people are helping to deliver the ambitions of Warwickshire County Council’s Food Plan .
County Councillors Chris Morris (Bedworth West) and Stan Carvell (Bedworth East) recently visited the community allotment project at Wheelwright Lane to meet volunteers and see first-hand the positive impact the scheme is having in supporting residents experiencing food insecurity across the local community.
During the visit, the councillors inspected a newly installed storage shed and gardening equipment funded through a grant from Councillor Carvell’s allocation of the Warwickshire County Council Councillors’ Grant Fund in 2025/26. The fund enables each of the Council’s 57 county councillors to support projects that deliver tangible benefits for local communities.
The new facilities will help volunteers continue maintaining and developing the site, supporting the long-term future of the project. Produce grown on the community plot is donated to the Storehouse at the Harbour Centre in Bedworth, providing fresh, nutritious food for local residents experiencing hardship.
Project managers Brian and Leigh Clarke shared the history of the allotments and explained how the community plot has developed into an important local asset, promoting food growing, volunteering and community engagement.
The project also supports the aims of the Warwickshire Food Plan 2026-2028, which seeks to create a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system across the county. By increasing access to fresh food and bringing people together through volunteering, the allotment demonstrates how community-led initiatives can deliver benefits for both people and place.
Councillor Stan Carvell said:
"I was delighted to support this project through my Warwickshire County Council Councillors’ Grant Fund allocation. Seeing the shed and equipment now in use, and witnessing the positive impact the group is having, shows how local investment can deliver real benefits for local people.
"The volunteers have created something very special here. Not only are they producing high-quality fresh food for those who need it most, they are also helping people learn new skills, stay active and become more involved in their community. The positive impact of this project extends far beyond the boundaries of the allotment itself."
Councillor Chris Morris said:
"The enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment shown by everyone involved was inspiring. Warwickshire’s Food Plan is about much more than healthy eating and access to food. It is also about bringing people together and building stronger communities through food-related activity.
"This allotment is a fantastic example of local residents working together to make a positive difference while creating benefits for themselves and others."
Brian and Leigh Clarke said:
"We were delighted to welcome the councillors to the allotment and show them the progress that has been made. The support received through the Councillors’ Grant Fund has enabled us to improve our facilities and continue expanding the project.
"Every vegetable grown here reflects the efforts of our volunteers and helps provide fresh, healthy food for people accessing the Bedworth Food Kitchen. We hope the allotment continues to be a place where people can learn, share experiences and make a positive contribution to their local community."