RE: 'Vandals damage allotment sheds' Thursday, April 24

In response to the article published in the Evening Advertiser on the above date, I have investigated the history behind the comments and would like to update you of the progress made from this report.

Churchward leisure garden site consists of 29 plots with 20 current tenants and the yearly rate is £24 for a full sized plot.

The site is fenced on two sides and contrary to the report in the paper, we have not received any notification of damage to fencing or sheds from the tenants.

After hearing a report on BBC Radio Swindon (April 14) regarding damage, my allotments officer visited the site to establish if repairs to the fence were necessary.

He found that two six-foot length of chain link fencing had been pulled down and an order was raised for the repair.

Two sheds had been overturned at some point but were derelict and on vacant plots. There was no visible damage to any sheds currently being used.

After reading the report in the paper, my allotments officer revisited the site and found a shed had been pushed over on a tenanted plot.

The repairs to the fence were complete. The maintenance schedule has now been amended to provide for visible checks on any future damage to the area.

Reports of this nature are taken very seriously, and may I take this opportunity to ask all tenants of leisure gardens to contact my allotments officer, Richard Stratford on (01793) 464513 should they experience any future damage or require repairs to the facilities.

John Short

Director

Swindon Services