I am Judy Saxby and I have been representing Marchwood as a Trustee on the board of the Dibden Allotments Charity for six years.

The Dibden Allotments were founded in 1862 and relaunched in 1995 when a local superstore purchased the piece of land from Hythe and Dibden Parish Council.

The resulting monies from the sale have been invested and the investment income is spread between the parishes of Marchwood, Hythe and Dibden and Fawley. The Trustees are able to make grants to individuals in need and to organisations within the Waterside community.

So, how many individuals and organisations have been helped during the last ten years?

Well, that is a bit difficult to ascertain as some organisations return on a yearly basis as do around 75% of individuals, but I can tell you that over the years a total of £3.517 million pounds has been granted ... Yes, it is an enormous amount!

We have provided white goods, clothing, furniture, baths, showers, disability equipment and food vouchers, amongst many other things too numerous too mention. Last year 443 individuals were helped and 46 organisations

All schools on the Waterside are invited to apply for a hardship grant. This enables children who are from more needy families to be able to go on educational visits and have the correct school uniform.
The shoe scheme has also been very successful, vouchers for £25 towards school shoes are available from the school offices.

The gardening scheme is run to enable older or infirm people to remain in their own home by having basic garden maintenance done by a team of gardeners employed by the charity. To date 420 gardens have been included in the scheme and in the last year 220 gardens dealt with, some of which are in Marchwood.

Marchwood Community Association i.e. the Village Hall, has benefited in various ways, for instance portable media equipment and carpet for the Oak Room.

One of the most important things that the Allotments Charity does is to part fund the Waterside Youth Leaders by way of supporting the Handy Trust. Derek Hawkins does sterling work with our villages’ young people, keeping them off the streets and warning of the inherent dangers of drink, drugs and smoking and their associated problems.

Out of 443 individuals helped last year, 23 were from Marchwood, but of course we are a much smaller area than the other Waterside beneficiaries.

I am on the board of Trustees to represent Marchwood specifically, but having representation from all the involved parishes to discuss each application means that every decision has been reached in a balanced, unbiased, fair and compassionate manner.

Judy Saxby 2006