Supersede: The Story of Street End Allotments Commentary Script (Wild Record) Voice-Over Talent: Maddie Rice

Overview Supersede: The Story of Street End Allotments aims to create a robust user experience and a living documentary that contributes to the allotment community and beyond. Over 15 minutes this interactive contributor and Narrator-led documentary follows the everyday exploits of Street End Allotments in Chatham, Kent. (Commentary will be cut down in the edit) Style Dulcet, light and informal In the style of Gardeners Question Time Think of presenter Alys Fowler (Gardener World) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHi8nJ81G0c Style of Fiona Bruce.

Title: Supersede: The Story of Street End Allotments 1. Community run gardening empowers local people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to help build better communities; allotments are able to connect people who want to grow their own produce. In recent years however, the growing public demand for space to grow food, has put pressure on local authorities to provide more allotments, at a time when financial resources are being increasingly tightened. [24 secs] Approx. TIMECODE 2. To find thriving, self sufficient urban neighbours, you have to look amidst the industrial estates of Medway town, Chatham. Street End allotment. Nestled just a trowels throw from the furor of Chatham in Kent exists the furrows of Street End allotment. [17secs] Approx. TIMECODE 3. Street End takes stock over the heart of industrial Chatham, typically an underprivileged area; the allotments here provide a safe sanctuary for kinship and community spirit; burgeoning in this bustling industrial town. 4. Dr Richard Wiltshire is a senior lecturer of Geography at Kings College London. He has worked on urban and environmental issues and is internationally known for research and advocacy on community gardening.

5. Dr Wiltshire looks to elaborate on the current situation and so, digs a little deeper into the questions surrounding waiting lists. [5secs] Approx. TIMECODE 6. We voiced our concern to Medway Council and they responded as follows

The waiting list for the Street End Allotment site is 84 with a current waiting time of 4 years. The waiting lists tend to become inaccurate after prospective tenants have been waiting for an allotment for more than 2 years. This is due to change of address, change in personal circumstance ie age, injury preventing them from digging or they become a carer or parent etc.

We have 30 allotment sites providing 1206 plots which is an increase of 288 plots in the past 4 years. There are currently a total of 1358 on the waiting list but historically customers were allowed to have their name on multiple waiting lists so I would envisage that there are 200 duplicate applications. No site waiting list is closed to new applicants but customers are advised as to a realistic time they will have to wait before being allocated a plot. In recent years allotment gardening has become more popular due to TV programmes, in the past 6 years on some sites we had spare plots on virtually all sites. Medway Council have been extremely supportive in recent years providing in excess of 400,000 to increase the number of sites and improve the current stock of allotments. The general public is now more aware of food air miles. They have a wish to grow organic produce and by doing so receive fresh air and exercise and join in with their local allotment community. To reduce the number of people on the 30 allotment sites in Medway we (when they become available) split large plots (that are greater than 300 square metres) into 2 thus providing an additional plot and taking another person of the waiting list. The Council are currently developing a community garden in Gillingham which will be up and running early next year. 7. Having seen these plotteers on their turf, members of Street End recuperate and take time to reflect on what it is to be a Street Ender. [5secs] 01:02:00:00 8. Supersede: A story of a unique community and a way of life thats in demand. Waiting lists aside, Street End continues to supersede generations paving the way for the next grow-you-own generation.