Ella Dunlop (Clinical Medicine) launches Allotment Club for college community
A new Allotment Club at Green Templeton College is hoping to bring people together as lockdown restrictions begin to ease while also promoting sustainability.
The project has been organised and developed by Ella Dunlop (Clinical Medicine), who has received support from the Annual Fund to help cultivate an allotment plot in Old Marston to grow vegetables, encourage wildlife and pollinators, and provide exercise and socially-distanced communal activity.
Ella outside the Green Templeton College greenhouse. She wants her Allotment Club to promote sustainability.
Ella said: “Gardening and growing have thrived through the pandemic with the need for outdoor space and a change of pace from work-from-home office hours.
“This activity will benefit all college members as it will provide a more cohesive community, bringing the corners of the community that have felt isolated during lockdown back together. Holding an allotment together also promotes the identity of GTC as an inclusive and sustainability-focused college.”
Ella sourced the allotment back in October before applying for Annual Fund support. Through the generosity of donors, the Annual Fund provides grants for academic-related activities and support for college life. Ella hopes college members will enjoy helping her transform the “overgrown” plot into a food-producing, wildlife-supporting community project.
Ella describes the allotment as “overgrown” but hopes the GTC community will come together to transform it.
All college members are welcome to become involved, including the children of student parents. Opportunities to sign up to help with the allotment will be communicated via email and Facebook. A rota system will be in place to ensure numbers are kept within the latest government guidelines and the site will adhere to COVID-secure measures. All sessions at the allotment will be led by Ella or a fellow Allotment Club member with advice and help given to those who would like to help grow, plant and harvest.
The Allotment Club will launch in March with weekend activities running from March to September, with a possible break in the summer. A harvest event will be held in September.
For more information, please contact allotment@gtc.ox.ac.uk.
To join the Allotment Club mailing list, please email gtc-allotment@maillist.ox.ac.uk. You will then be sent a subscription request.
Alongside providing an enjoyable outdoor activity, Ella is keen for the allotment to further the college’s commitment to sustainability. The food grown at the allotment will be offered to the Green Templeton kitchens, while kitchen scraps and other suitable material will be donated to the allotment for composting purposes.
Green Templeton is committed to working collectively for a sustainable future and is proud to have won a Gold Award in the 2020 NUS Green Impact Awards, in the first year the college submitted the application.
Congratulations to all of the @gtcball2026 survivors 🪼🫧🪸🧜🌊✨
From the ocean floor to the dance floor 🌊🪸🫧💙🧜 🐙🪼
We had an incredible evening at the Nautilus Ball! @gtcball2026
The Radcliffe Observatory is having a conservation makeover...
Behind the printed wrap is a complex network of poles and platforms, giving specialist teams access to every part of this remarkable building.
The Observatory is now undergoing a new phase of work that combines careful conservation of its historic fabric with major environmental upgrades.
Protecting one of Oxford`s most iconic landmarks for generations to come. 🏛️
Over the past week, we have celebrated the extraordinary Green Templeton community through events, volunteering, competitions, challenges and fundraising for student support. It has been wonderful to see alumni, fellows, supporters, friends, staff and students coming together to show our support for students.
From the Garden Party and the Photography Competition, to the Memory Wall and Biscuit Decorating Competition, the week has been filled with moments that reflect the warmth, inclusivity and spirit of our college.
Thank you to everyone who made a gift, attended an event, volunteered their time or followed along throughout the week. Together, we have raised over £65,000 for student support. These gifts will help students pursue opportunities, navigate financial pressures, participate fully in college life and thrive during their time at Oxford.
#ThankYou
#GivingWeek
#Fundraising
#StudentSupport
#Oxford
📸 Congratulations to Sophia Hall (MSc Medical Anthropology, 2025), winner of the Green Templeton College 2026 Photography Competition!
Sophia`s reflection on Vincent captured perfectly the sense of belonging that so many people find at Green Templeton.
A huge thank you to everyone who entered the competition and to everyone who voted. Your support also helped unlock £1,000 of funding as part of our Community & Giving Week challenge!
