SARINC Steventon Allotments and Relief in Need Charity

The Steventon allotments have their origin in the Enclosure Award of 1883 when they were established to provide a means for the needy to grow food for their families, and to compensate for the loss of rights to use common lands, which had been enclosed under the various Acts

Interest in maintaining allotments remained high up to the Second World War and beyond, but by the 1980s demand had declined to such an extent that only one plot was still in use in the Drayton Road section. The Parish Council then agreed that the allotments situated where the Field Gardens estate now is, should be sold for building development, with the intention that some at least of the properties would be available for local first-time buyers. The land was eventually sold in 1987 and the very substantial proceeds used to fund the newly established SARINC.

The Charity is administered by seven Trustees, four appointed by the Parish Council and three co-opted. It employs a full-time warden who maintains the remaining Allotments and their surrounding, and in practice keeps most of the public areas of the village in order. It helps individuals in need in a number of ways on a confidential basis, such help including the provision of food, fuel and clothing, assistance for the sick or disabled, and grants or loans in financial emergencies.

Finally, it helps the village and its enterprises more generally in such ways as assisting in renewing the church lighting, supporting the Causeway Trust in maintaining the trees and pitchings, and assisting the School, the Sports Clubs and other village organizations, and even subsidizing the expenses of the history exhibition!

Pumpkins in the allotments