Councillors Leanne Stevenson, Jake Chandler, Marco Di Pinto, Zoe Smith and Oladapo Ibitoye spent Sunday 16 August 2026 working at the Ukrainian community garden at St Philip's allotments in Upper Stratton, Swindon, Swindon24 reported that evening.
What did they do?
- Finished the site's polytunnel
- Weeded paths and growing beds
- Carried out summer maintenance
Councillors Stevenson and Chandler, both allotment growers, talked with the Ukrainian families who look after the plots about what grows well and how to use the site through the seasons. Beetroot from the allotment was juiced by Kris Talikowski, vice-chair of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine, and brought back for the volunteers.
What is the garden?
The project, called Putting Down Roots, began more than two years ago to give Ukrainian families in Swindon their own growing space. Stratton St Margaret Parish Council made it possible.
Annastasiia Banatska, chair of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine, has said of it: "Working with the soil, growing vegetables, these are things many of us did at home in Ukraine". She said the garden "brings comfort, especially in such uncertain times."
Councillor Chandler said: "Providing spaces like this for the community to use and bring empty allotments back into use is so inspiring".
Allotment demand in Swindon
Swindon24 noted that South Swindon Parish Council manages 584 plots across 14 sites and has a waiting list of more than 400 people.
Source: Swindon24.