Last week, a local allotment initiative was recognised by Rutland's outgoing High Sheriff.

Growers Row enjoyed a surprise from the exiting High Sheriff, Geraldine Feehally, who recognised the team with an award in recognition of great and valuable services for the community.

Growers Row, located at Rutland Showground, is a community gardening space hosted by Root-and-Branch-Out, a local organisation that champions food, nature and the environment.

All are welcome at Growers Row, an Oakham-based community gardening space. Image credit: Nub News.

The established gardening scheme sees local people come together to cultivate a thriving and productive space open to the whole community, and is open every Wednesday from 10am until 3pm, 46 weeks a year.

While all of the work is done on a volunteer basis, for the love of gardening and collaboration, gardeners share the produce that comes from the garden when it is ready to harvest.

The garden is also a great space to bring children throughout the holidays to teach them about gardening, community and sustainability.

The community garden allows residents to share produce. Image credit: Nub News.

During Geraldine's visit, which took place at the end of the Easter holidays, young people were planting a potato with the hopes of gathering a generous harvest in the coming months.

The team added: "We look forward to welcoming them back at the end of August to dig up their potato treasure! How much treasure can one little potato make?

"Work began on the Sweetpea Wall, which will be a wonderful welcome as we walk through the gate in summer and is an excellent source of cut flowers.

"The tulips are in full bloom this week, with a big splash of red. There is now so much colour popping up, week by week."

Growers Row Shared Garden is open to the public on Wednesdays at the Rutland Showground between 10am and 3pm.

All are welcome and parking is free.