On Tuesday, 24 April Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner visited the Robert Street Allotments in Cudworth, Barnsley.

The visit was to meet those who successfully applied for funding from the Barnsley Chronicle Stronger Together Grant scheme.

The funding of £224 purchased hand trowels, hand forks, garden gloves, watering cans, a wheel barrow, compost and seeds, so that young people in the community can grow their vegetables from seed.

Mick White of Robert Street Allotments said: “Last year we revamped our community garden, making five new raised beds. We are working hard to improve the area and make it a better place for our community.

“With the purchase of this new equipment we started a garden club so children and people from the Cudworth area can enjoy growing vegetables that they can cook and eat.”

During the visit Dr Billings met with pupils from Cherry Dale Primary school who were there with their teachers learning how to plant potatoes and other vegetables.

He said: “This grant funding shows how a small amount of funding can make such a big different to local communities.  The children all look to be having a good time sowing seeds and learning where their vegetable come from, part of their healthy diet.

“It was impressive to see how the local people of Cudworth, are working to make their areas more attractive for others to enjoy.  I wish them all well with their venture.

“Thanks must also go the Barnsley Chronicle for administering the grant scheme on our behalf.  It is these small community groups that we are wanting to help. Giving young people useful things to do keeps down anti-social behaviour. Robert Street Allotments are a perfect example of communities working hard together for others to benefit.”

During the visit to Cudworth, the Commissioner braved the bad weather and was invited on a walkabout in the peace gardens by Councillor Charlie Wraith MBE.  The Commissioner was shown the war memorial in the peace garden that is dedicated to the 41 soldiers from Cudworth who lost their lives in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.