Members of the Rhymney Valley Allotments Federation gathered last week to present a special retirement gift to Nigel Powell – Caerphilly County Borough Council’s long-serving Parks and Leisure Officer.
The newly-formed federation wanted to thank Mr Powell for “going the extra mile”, and being instrumental in helping create the federation.
From June 2010 responsibility was devolved from the council to self-managed control of allotments. Mr Powell ensured a smooth transition, and has since helped the federation with networking, accessing grants and securing a longer tenure.
Members of the federation presented Mr Powell with an engraved decanter at Pontllanfraith House, as well as his own Smartwater property marking kit.
Federation Secretary Mike Cattle said: “Nigel’s professional commitment, firm but fair attitude and sense of transparency has enabled the allotment movement, not only in the Rhymney Valley, but throughout the country, to progress to a level way beyond our expectations in the promoting and preserving of Allotments in the community. For this reason we wanted to show our appreciation and wish him all the best for the future.”
Mr Powell retired on Friday March 23.