Meet the team: Alan

Alan is the council’s new Tumbledown Site Manager. He moved to Dorset 20 years ago which he describes as the best move he ever made!

His role involves overseeing the running and development of Tumbledown as a community green space, producing and distributing good quality organic food, encouraging and facilitating the safe and productive involvement of as diverse a range of local people as possible.

Favourite thing about the job?

“Working with the range of people already enjoying Tumbledown, from community groups using the community growing spaces, the wonderful volunteers helping out on a Friday with preparing the land and planting, the co-workers learning about the natural environment, college students on working parties and curious local people wanting to see how things are developing.

“I have worked in offices for the last 20 years, so having the opportunity to work directly with people in such a beautiful place is a real privilege.”

Where have you worked prior to joining the council?

“I initially trained in Environmental Science, but after a couple of years of fieldwork, changed tack and I have worked for 30 years within Adult Social Care as a Social Worker and a manager, initially in Southampton, but for the last twenty years in Dorset.”

Find out more about Tumbledown

Tumbledown is a beautiful 27-acre former farm which we now own. It’s being developed into a community asset where local fruit and veg is produced and sold, it supports people with volunteering and learning opportunities, and it’s a space that protects our local environment for the benefit of our communities. Our vision for Tumbledown is to create:

“An inclusive greenspace which nurtures the life-giving environment to support community led growing, learning and well-being, now and for future generations.”

Visit our Tumbledown webpage to find out more.