WW I

In 1919, just after the end of the first World War, Kenilworth Urban District Council faced the problems of poor housing and unemployment, so planned to build home “fit for heroes”. There were allotments on a hill in front of the present School Lane chip shop (where Hyde Road is now) called Noah’s Ark allotments. This site was chosen to build 112 new houses but under the 1908 Smallholding and Allotments Act the council was obliged to provide sufficient land for allotments. So, the acquisition of an alternative site for growing was necessary.

William Thomas Pears

Around this time the estate of the late William Thomas Pears came up for auction and included the present Odibourne site. KUDC decided to borrow £1000 (£50000 in today’s money) for the purchase of land adjoining Washbrook bridge for allotment provision. The plot holders at Noah’s Ark were given notice to quit and were not happy but their protests were ignored, with many - reluctantly - moving to the new site.

Present day

The Odibourne site is still owned by Kenilworth Town Council but in 1983 management of the allotments was passed to Kenilworth Allotment Tenants’ Association. KATA is an entirely voluntary management committee of plot holders that organises the letting of plots, maintenance of the site, water bills, insurance and also funds improvements to the facilities plot holders can enjoy. It pays a substantial rent to the Town Council.

2019 saw the celebration of a centenary of allotment gardening here on our beautiful Odibourne allotments.