In June 2010 Quadron's Contract Manager in Birmingham's Yardley constituency, Phil Garrett, was given an unusual request.
Phil and his team were asked to dismantle and move four sheds complete with their contents as well as a greenhouse, various benches, signs and tools from Handsworth Uplands Allotments in the North West of the city eight miles across to Francis Road Allotments in the South East. Once moved, the sheds were to be rebuilt onto a newly created slab base.
Members of Quadrons team, Aiden Bunce, Adam Parkes and Alec Edwards
The project was to enable Mrs McGhie-Belgrave, who has devoted much of her life to community projects including promoting the joy of growing food amongst disenfranchised teenagers, to continue to be able to tend her allotment in her more mature years without needing to trek across the city.
Above, Mrs McGhie-Belgrave
Below, Sheds and other equipment installed in their new positions
In the mid 1980s following the Handsworth Riots, Mrs McGhie-Belgrave launched her community group, Shades of Black, with the aim of rebuilding and reconciling the community. Amongst other things, the project involves an allotment scheme teaching the city's youngsters to grow their own vegetables, the produce of which is distributed to the elderly.
Mrs McGhie-Belgrave has also developed HELP (Help Enables Learning Positivity), an allotment project that encourages school children to develop horticultural skills at the same time as supporting their academic work.
Above: Five of Mrs McGhee-Belgraves allotment helpers
Below: The allotment garden
Mrs McGhie-Belgrave has been awarded an MBE for Services to the Community and the Queens Jubilee Award.