A TV star and an MP were guests of honour as residents celebrated the long-awaited opening of new allotment plots.
Gardening personality Pippa Greenwood joined North West Hampshire MP James Arbuthnot in opening the Hook green space on March 13.
They joined hundreds of allotmenteers, villagers and supporters at Hook Cross in Reading Road, in declaring the land open for business.
This is a fantastic achievement and it’s great to see a new allotment site for everyone in the village,” said Pippa.
Last year the presenter made a promise to the Hook allotmenteers that when they had found a suitable site, she would come and open it for them.
“I know that an awful lot of work has gone in to making this site a reality and the village and all its supporters are to be congratulated,” she said.
More than 140 plots have been snapped up by green-fingered enthusiasts from Hook and Rotherwick.
Pippa Greenwood planted the first apple tree in a planned community orchard.
The tree, an old Hampshire variety called Hamledon Deux Ans, was chosen by the Hook Allotment Association because it was first bred in the county in 1750.
The opening marks the first phase in a 10-year plan. Currently the site is leased from the landowner. A covenant has been put on the land, preventing it being developed and the association is actively seeking grants and raising cash to buy the site outright within the next decade.
The new plot has cleared the allotment waiting list in Hook and neighbouring Rotherwick.
Association chairman Pete Comley said the opening was a tribute to the parish’s community spirit.
He said: “We had lots of volunteers turn out to help with the track - it really is an amazing example of community support.
“I was quite taken aback by the help and support we have received from the community. Hopefully it will do something for Hook as a village.”
