From 11 to 17 August, National Allotments Week invites us to celebrate not just the joy of gardening, but the many ways that green spaces nurture our health, our connections, and our community spirit. Here in Saxmundham, we’re lucky to have a growing network of horticultural groups, community gardens, and environmental projects that make our town greener, healthier, and more welcoming.
The Benefits of Growing Together
Spending time outdoors and getting your hands in the soil isn’t just a pleasant pastime – it’s scientifically proven to make us feel better. Research shows that regular contact with nature can reduce stress and anxiety, lift our mood, sharpen our focus, and even lower the risk of certain health conditions. One UK study found that just two hours a week in nature can make a measurable difference to physical and mental wellbeing. Gardening, in particular, is a gentle but effective form of exercise, boosting strength and flexibility, and helping us soak up vital vitamin D from the sun. And, as our own Saxmundham Green Team knows, it’s also a social activity; combatting loneliness and building friendships is an excellent reason to engage in some community gardening, or to sign up for an allotment.
Find Green-Fingered Groups and Allotments in Saxmundham
Saxmundham’s community allotments and gardens bring these benefits to life. The Community Allotment can be found on the other side of the A12, at Park Farm, forming part of East Suffolk Donkey Sanctuay. It offers a friendly place for people of all ages and abilities to grow vegetables, share tips, and enjoy the satisfaction of eating something they’ve nurtured from seed to plate.
Greener Sax’s Community Garden adds another layer, combining productive planting with eco-friendly practices that help wildlife and reduce our environmental impact. They also enjoy regular social events at the site, keeping community spirit alive over shared produce, meals and conversation.
On the Memorial Field, the Community Orchard boasts over fifty five fruit trees which are maintained by the Town Council, for the benefit of everyone. During fruiting season, anyone is welcome to help themselves to the wide variety of fruit which grows there, including pears, apples, cherries, gages, quinces, and medlars.
There’s also exciting potential for the future. The now unused former allotment site at Saxon Road could, with community support and the right funding, be transformed into new allotment plots or a garden space. And the Empowering Nature initiative imagines something even bigger – incorporating orchards, edible landscapes, and sustainable features like rainwater harvesting into our local infrastructure, so that everyone has access to green, growing spaces.
Saxmundham Town Council: Caring for Our Green and Blue Spaces
The Town Council is working hard to ensure Saxmundham’s green spaces are well cared for and inviting. The Environment Officer balances the needs of people and wildlife; allowing both to co-exist harmoniously. The Town Council, recognising its importance, has a long-term focus on biodiversity, supporting wildlife and creating accessible green spaces for the community to enjoy. Therefore the Town Council is proudly involved in two volunteer organisations dedicated to enhancing and protecting Saxmundham’s natural environment.
The Green Team, managed directly by the Town Council, brings together local volunteers to improve and maintain the town’s green spaces for both people and wildlife. Their work ranges from planting bulbs and trees, tending the community orchard, and creating wildflower areas, to regular litter-picking, watering, and caring for planters. They also host workshops, run seed swaps, and engage with local schools on environmental projects, helping to build pride in Saxmundham’s outdoor spaces and encourage more residents to get involved.
Blue Spaces Saxmundham is an independent, volunteer-led citizen science group focused on the town’s rivers and other water habitats. With Town Council funding and practical support, they organise activities such as waterway clean-ups, wildlife monitoring, and community events that encourage people to connect with and care for these “blue” environments. Their work helps safeguard biodiversity, improve water quality, and raise awareness of the vital role our waterways play in a healthy, balanced ecosystem.
Join in!
If you’d like to be part of this growing movement, our Environment Coordinator keeps a list of residents who are interested in allotments or volunteering with the Green Team. Email environment@saxmundham-tc.gov.uk to start the conversation and/or email bluespaces@saxmundham-tc.gov.uk to join the Blue Spaces mailing list or to join a working party.
You can also take part in our community consultation which will help shape the future of the Saxon Road allotment site.
If you do one thing to celebrate National Allotment Week: take a moment visit one of Saxmundham’s green spaces, connect with nature, breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the people who are working hard in your community to keep Saxmundham Growing.
