Hi, I'm Jo and I'm one of the 4 members of a little group called Cornforth Animal Welfare Society (CAWS).
Yes, I'm one of those idiots on holiday.
In the last 6 years, we have organised litter picks, dealt with animal emergencies, fought against poachers, and provided emergency medical treatment for wildlife, including neutering 146 feral cats and finding homes for more than 60 kittens!
Biggles and Sharpe are two ex-ferals now living happily as pets and family members.
Most of our work has been possible with our own efforts, and whatever money we can spare. But this is a huge undertaking, so we're asking for your help.
What are you saving for?
We have some great land in the parish council's control, but it's been left abandoned for almost 30 years. This has turned it into a dumping ground for fly-tippers, and it also has a problem with the illegal hunting of wildlife, such as owls, magpies, badgers, and deer.
It would be incredible to get this land back in use similar to how it was before, but more accessible - low rent allotments so lower-income people and their families can grow food, have access to the outdoors, and be part of a community that welcomes them.
Unfortunately, this costs a lot of money (sorry x.x) to get the plots cleared and useable.
What will you use the money for?
As many items from this list as possible!
- A skip: £280 (£140 a day, there's a LOT to move)
- Signage: £300 (3 large metal signs with safety info and fitting)
- Fencing: £4500 (at least, there's 28 plots and 4 half plots - it's a really big site!)
- Extending the tap pipes: £2000 (so more plot holders can easily access water, especially for those with physical disabilities. We'd also like to change out the pipes and taps to lower water waste)
- Replace the old bridges: £10,000 (we have 2 very old wooden bridges - they're still pretty solid, so this isn't an emergency yet)
There are so many flytipped fridges.
Things we don't need to pay for:
- Insurance is being covered by Cornforth Parish Council for as long as they exist.
- Grass and hedge cutting is being done by plot holders, although we hope to eventually get 2 rescue goats to help out!
- Water use is covered by the Parish Council, and tap fitting is done by some amazing volunteers.
Have you done anything in this project yet?
We have! We've managed to strip back a few plots and already have plot holders on them, but the fences are either collapsed or non-existent, which is a security risk.
I also had the police down to remove swords I found when digging. One was buried with a copy of Highlander, so we had a good laugh.
I've mapped out the entire site and organised a drone photo, which should be done soon, so we can build a website with an accurate interactive map. Two members of CAWS used to work in IT, so we'll be able to build it at no extra costs.
Right now, the biggest job is the fencing, but the smallest is getting a skip.
Who can have an allotment?
Anyone in the Parish Boundary, which is a pretty big area in the County of Durham, England, is most welcome to ask about getting a plot. We already have a very small waiting list, so this is a public service really wanted!
This cabbage was grown this year by a tenant, so we're incredibly proud - the veg was gifted to a community pantry.
Our rules are really simple:
- Pay your plot rent so we can make more improvements.
- No anti-social behaviour, including drunkenness.
- No hunting of wildlife, livestock or pets.
- No use of pesticides (CAWS provides alternative safe
means of dealing with pests at zero cost).
- No selling from the allotments.
- Help your neighbours.
- Contact us if you need any help.
- This is an inclusive site. Treat everyone, no matter their skin colour, heritage, political affiliation, disability, sexuality or gender as an equal.
- Be kind.
With your backing, we can transform an area, clear rubbish, clean the beck, give people a community that can help to feed them and do some genuine good for the wildlife in this area that will last for years.
Thanks for considering us!
Jo Beetham-Yelland
Organizer
