East Leake Allotment Association (ELAA) is a thriving community on the outskirts of the village with over 100 tenants having a plot of varying sizes. It is run by a volunteer committee and on 8 November 2025 the committee arranged, for the second year, a bonfire event (no fireworks) for the tenants and their friends.
A bonfire had been built by the chairman and other helpers, this was dismantled on the day to ensure no hedgehogs or any other birds or animals had hidden in the natural materials. It was then rebuilt and access for small mammals etc prevented.
By 5:30pm people had started to arrive and over 40 adults and 14 children attended. Seats were provided by the committee along with a BBQ supplying long sausages for adults and smaller ones for children cooked by Poppy-Aurora and Karen, with a vegetarian option. Rolls with or without butter, and onions were also available along with the relevant sauces and Carolann’s famous cheesy baked potatoes. Lighting was provided by lanterns, James’ (chairman) generator and battery operated strings of lights, plus lots of torches as there is no power source on the allotments. Other volunteers assisted with dishing out the food.
Many sweets donated by a plot holder and her husband (Georgina and Ben), who were married recently and the sweets were left over from their wedding. The secretary, Carolann, baked apple muffins, carrot muffins, courgette and chocolate muffins and a parsnip and maple cake that went down very well with the crowd, including the children. A tenant provided candyfloss for the youngsters as well. A tenant’s husband, Paul, provided singing with his guitar and a very enjoyable night was had by all.
Anyone interested in having an allotment please visit the website www.eastleakeallotments.com and fill in the application form.