On St. George’s Day, Saturday 23rd April, 2011 we started a Green revolution in Ashton-under-lyne, Tameside, in the tradition of English radical group The diggers who during the period of the English Commonwealth, in 1649 reclaimed the common land of St. George’s Hill from the Lords of the Manor by digging and cultivating it.
After years of delay by Tameside Council prospective allotment holders in Ashton have now organised ourselves to take over control of the land on Ashton Moss that had been allocated for the replacement allotments, supported by sympathetic
volunteers we came together in a day of action to reclaim the allotments from Cordingleys who have neglected and mismanaged the land.
Background
In 1996 at the time of the development of the M60 Motorway, Ashton Moss allotment sites were taken out of use and the land was given by Tameside Council to local estate Agents, Cordingleys, to develop for business and leisure use, the contract included providing alternative allotment sites
People on the Council’s allotment waiting list who were promised plots on the site are still waiting, although the allotment site was
developed by Cordingleys over 7 years ago, we have now been told that the site is not due to be handed over in the near future.
Ashton Allotment Action now intend to take direct action to start
cultivating the allotments as a matter of urgency. Because the land has not been cultivated, since it was developed it has now become overrun with weeds, principally Soft Rush which needs to be cleared before we can start growing fruit and vegetables. We intend to clear the weeds from a part of the site and to the plant seeds or seedlings.
Regular Saturday Action days
We inviting everyone to come along to our action days and help us, every Saturday from 10.00 am
Please come along and support our action days, come when you want and stay as long as you want, please bring your own hand tools, food and drink
The allotments are located on Moss Lane, which is a rough track
running from a junction of Lord Sheldon Way, left turn from
Droylsden/Manchester, right turn from Ashton.
If you are coming by car, it could be advisable to park at the leisure park and walk over the roundabout and motorway bridge, where you will find a footpath leading to the allotments
Ashton Moss Allotment site co-ordinates
OS X (Eastings) 392221
OS Y (Northings) 399178
Nearest Post Code OL7 9LA
Lat (WGS84) N53:29:21 (53.489254)
Long (WGS84) W2:07:07 (-2.118708)
Please view our video of the 23/04/11 Action day http://you.tube/8X0qjO_UxkQ
For further information and directions contact Nigel 07709056079
For history buffs, the Diggers’ pamphlet online:
http://www.bilderberg.org/land/poor.htm