| GARDENING STAR BACKS ALLOTMENT SCHEME
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Channel 4's 'Landscape Man' Matthew Wilson has given his blessing to an innovative new allotment scheme in his native Knockholt.
The presenter of the gardening show returned his to home village to cut the ribbon on a three-acre allotment site owned by the Harrow pub ¬- a scheme made possible thanks to brewers Shepherd Neame and the hard work of dedicated locals.
The ground-breaking community project has seen The Harrow and Shepherd Neame work with Knockholt Parish Council and the newly-formed Village Allotments Association to secure 32 plots of land on the previously unused field.
Shepherd Neame was quick to respond to an enquiry from parish clerk Doreen Jones about the possibility of using their land for allotments. The village's keen gardeners are now reaping the benefits by planting fruit and vegetables - among them the French licensees of The Harrow, Martin Leman and Sophie Chaleil who intend to use the produce in their pub and restaurant.
Matthew told the 100-plus villagers who assembled on the sunny June day for the opening: "It is a fantastic thing for the brewery to have given the village. God bless all who sow in her!"
He then planted a fruit tree - aided by four-year-old Chaela Shaboo, daughter of the chairman of the Village Allotments Association, Nishwan - before touring the plots to chat with locals and to see for himself all the hard work that had gone into the scheme.
Matthew joined locals at The Harrow for a buffet supplied by Martin and Sophie and Shepherd Neame.
Shepherd Neame's property and tenanted trade director, George Barnes said: "We are delighted to have helped turn this community project into a reality and thanks go to all those in Knockholt who have worked so hard on it, including Doreen Jones."
