Denny Gardens Community Allotments
Developing a community allotment site
Oxfordshire Community Land Trust (OCLT) acts as long-term steward of land and the assets on it, ensuring that it's put to use in a way that benefits the local community, not just now but in perpetuity. We're a democratic, not-for-profit organisation run by members including those from the communities we seek to serve. This project is about creating a community allotment in an unused patch of land in Denny Garden situated in Littlemore. The land, owned by Oxford City Council, is designated as land for growing food, but has lain unused for many years.
10 GoodGymers have supported Denny Gardens Community Allotments with 3 tasks.
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Upcoming sessions
Saturday 14th November 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm
Previous sessions
A lot done, allotment left to do
Wednesday 9th September
Written by Joe Montague (He/him)
We love a well planned task at Oxford GoodGym, and super organised host Meg had made us a to do list. Denny Gardens is still a work in progress, though one colourful plot shows what can be achieved.
First, tip 3 huge bags of (mainly) brambles from a previous working group over a very spiky fence. Then refill the bags and repeat. Next, pull back the membrane we'd de-weeded and dig out the weed roots underneath. Refill the bags and tip them over the spiky fence. Finally, re-cover the cleared section with the membrane, Bethan improvising with a wooden cudgel to bang the pegs in. Resourceful!
Good work everyone!
A Littlemore done, allotment more to do.
Saturday 18th April
Written by Joe Montague (He/him)
It was a beautiful Saturday morning for the second GoodGym visit to Denny Gardens. A local resident has taken ownership of one of the plots and has planted strawberries and a pear tree. Meg hopes that this will be the inspiration that the neighbourhood needs to start clearing, digging and planting the rest of the site. Mimi (Emmanuelle) and I dug an edging strip on the adjacent plot while Meg tackled the brambles. The recent dry spell has left the ground really hard and the ever present bramble roots make for tough digging. Pulling back the plastic, we uncovered a couple of slow worms. After a quick photo, we covered them over to resume their slumber. We were joined for a while by local city councillor, Tiago Corais and his canvassing supporter, Connor. Slow (worm) progress, but a satisfying session nonetheless 🪱
Zipping up my boots. Going back to my roots
Wednesday 1st April
Written by Joe Montague (He/him)
Today's mission was an Odyssey to a new GoodGym venue at Denny Gardens in the shadow of the Kassam Stadium. Meg set the scene for us - an unloved patch of land was to be transformed into a community allotment. The brambles had been cleared from head high down to ground level. Our tasks were flyering, litter picking and digging.
Fred and Angus set about collecting 6 years' worth of litter. Bethan and Muireann made short work of the leaflet deliveries and joined Alice, Meg and Joe on the dig. Meg's plan was to demonstrate that the ground could become productive. With a 6 year head start, the brambles are dug in for the battle ahead. Ninety minutes of hard work created a satisfying pile of roots and a decent area of turned over soil.
Task completed without head torches, 3 of us set off by bike and 4 on foot.