Meet the Team
Here at Unity Grove Allotments, the committee is made up of volunteers, who despite busy lives, are committed to trying their very best to serve the allotment community, and to be as helpful as possible.
There are also volunteer co-opted members, who are responsible for managing and co-ordinating our site shop and chicken Cooperative; as well as two social secretaries.
You can contact a member of the team by clicking on the 'Get in Touch' button below, or by e-mailing Jean Jarvis.
Phil Jarvis
Chairman
Phil has been a member of Unity Grove Allotments since 2015, and Chairman of the association since 2019. Phil has over 40 years in the building trade, which means he's able to use these skills to support the aims and objectives of the allotment. Phil likes nothing better than spending his free time on his allotment
Jean Jarvis
Secretary
Jean has been a member of Unity Grove Allotments since March 2015, and Secretary since July 2019. Jean retired from her profession as a local authority social worker in 2020, and now brings her administrational skills to the role of secretary for the allotment. When not on allotment business (Covid-19 restrictions permitting), Jean loves being with her grandchildren
Helena Parkinson
Treasurer
Helena has been a member of Unity Grove Allotments since February 2019. Helena's professional background is in social work and more recently in accounts for a private company. Helena's smile and cheerfulness means that you can't miss her on Unity Grove, or at the annual Harrogate & District Allotment Federation show, held at Valley Gardens in August each year, where she regularly volunteers herself to help in setting up.
Sam Ward
Plot Lettings Manager
Sam has been a member of Unity Grove Allotments since April 2019. Sam loves to muck in and offer her help to everyone to the benefit of Unity Grove. Sam works for Betty's and so she's great at organising working parties; you can be sure that if you join one of Sam's working parties, there's cake and good tea and coffee on offer to reward everyone's hard work
Gary Pattinson
Site Manager
Gary has been a member of Unity Grove Allotments since February 2012, and Site Manager since November 2019. Gary works full time for Royal Mail, however, when he's finished his working day, he loves getting stuck in, tending his own plot, tackling jobs around the site, and contributing to working parties
Wendy Ridgway
Co-opted Role - Shop Manager
Wendy has been a member of Unity Grove Allotments since April 2012, and has been running our site shop since 2017. Wendy is extremely hard working, and although she leads a very busy life and juggles lots of competing demands, nevertheless, wherever possible, she always goes above and beyond to help others. Wendy ensures that our site shop is well stocked; even during a pandemic
Margaret Smith
Chicken Cooperative Co-ordinator
Margaret has been a member of Unity Grove Allotments since April 2007. Margaret has previously served on the committee as News Letter Editor, but retired from that role in November 2019. However, Margaret continues in her role as co-ordinator for the Chicken Cooperative
Adam Hickinbottom & Mark Penswick
Co-opted Role - Social Secretaries
Mark and Adam have been members of Unity Grove Allotments since April 2020, and won the best newcomers cup. Mark and Adam have some experience of fundraising and we are confident they will be able to help us organise some great social and fundraising events in the future; as soon as we’re allowed to socially congregate