Allotment gardeners get composting toilet
Aug 26 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
ALLOTMENT holders have had to spend more than a few pennies to install the latest in composting toilets on their site.
The sophisticated loo, believed to be only the second composting toilet on an allotment site in the North East, cost £8,000.
But it means that plot holders at the site in West Denton Allotments Association in Newcastle will soon have the comforting thought that they can spend all day gardening without having to nip back home to places as far afield as Throckley.
Site treasurer Matthew Hall said: “We have a number of older plot holders and a few women gardeners now, so you can’t expect them to go behind bushes.”
He and site secretary Micky Christian began the task two years ago of transforming what was a rundown site.
Mr Hall, a postman, said: “We have new fencing, gates and roadways and a new community area with a shop, offices, community greenhouse and seating patio, so the toilet was the missing piece of the jigsaw.”
The site has raised £26,000 in grants, with the toilet being paid for by an award from the Local Action on Global Issues Fund at the Newcastle-based Community Foundation.
After a year, the compost from the toilet will be available for use on flower beds and around fruit trees.
Mr Christian said: “There are quite a few disabled people who use the allotments and it will make life a lot more comfortable for them when they visit.”
Peter Storey, of the Local Action on Global Issues Fund, said: “I can see the difference that it will make to the local community and regular visitors.”
