Founded in 1852, Elder Stubbs is a charity which owns a 12 acre site in Cowley Oxford. Providing allotment land is one of its charitable objectives along with the more general 'provision of relief for the labouring poor'. The charity has eight trustees, two appointed by the church and six by the City Council. Elder Stubbs has over the last 10 years adopted a proactive approach to 'reinventing' the nature of allotments in order to make them more attractive to local residents.
Work includes willow basket making, dried flowers, wreaths, etc.
They also operate an organic veg box scheme for local residents and businesses. Sponsoring with Restore an annual festival including visual arts, live music and the celebration of vegetables. In 1999 it will be held on Saturday 21 August. The creation of a wood and pond with the support of the Forestry Commission. This project was awarded the Shell Better Britain Award for England in 1993.