ABERYSTWYTH Town Council has received just over £10,000 in grants from the Welsh Government, to be invested in the town’s “thriving” allotments.

During a full council meeting on 13 September, Clerk to the Council Gweneira Raw Rees announced the council had been successful in securing a Welsh Government Allotment Support Grant of just over £10,000.

“Just a brief report to let councillors know we were successful in getting the grant for improvements,” the clerk said.

She added the council had completed “a lot of improvements”, including some to the orchard area and the removal of rubble.

The Welsh Government grant will pay for a new shed to store the seed, a publications library, equipment, and to hold small meetings and education session. Additionally, it will also allow them to dig a small pond and to “provide a rain water catchment”.

Mayor Councillor Alun Williams said the allotments are a “credit to Aberystwyth”.

“It’s always so impressive to see the allotments,” he added.

“They are vibrant and verdant, and there are a lot of keen gardeners there - they do a fantastic job.

“Some people produce an awful lot of vegetables and herbs. It is a thriving place in the town.”

Cllr Mair Benjamin said she struggled to walk in the allotments but went to see them anyway: “I took the car up and got as close as I could. I was so overwhelmed with how beautiful the orchard looked.

“It was the most beautiful area to sit there and hear the birds singing. Basically, well done.”

The clerk said there would be “quite a few change overs” with ownership of the allotments, with some changes to the waiting list “over the next couple of months and early next year”, some due to compliance or to people down sizing due to age.