21st October 2020 – The Launch of the Locavore Growing Project

On 13th October, we launched the Locavore Growing Project. We couldn’t invite everyone we wanted to be there because we wouldn’t have been able to confidently manage COVID precautions, so we’re sharing it retrospectively with you now!

At the Locavore Garden, we were joined by local Green Party councillor Georgina Treloar, who is so supportive of the project and is looking forward to staying in touch and seeing our progress. Together with Community Food Growers Bean and Didier, Georgina helped us to plant a tree at the entrance to the garden. This was a special moment for us because the tree is one of 4 Whitebeams that were donated when we were based on the Harbour Arm. The trees were rescued as saplings from the Harbour station prior to the redevelopment by Louella Ward and her mum Wendy as part of a project called the Shingle Garden in 2016. We never planted them out on the Harbour because the whole area is part of the planned development so they would have been bulldozed in a few years time, but up at Martello School they can grow undisturbed!

A few of our volunteers were on site, planting herbs and making plans for the future and we were joined by Martello deputy head Mrs Speed, as well as other members of the staff. It was a bit rainy but it was great to mark this important moment.

Down at our first care home garden, looked after by our other Community Food Grower, Mary, we also made a start in the rain! The Brampton Lodge manager, Michelle, had let us know that the residents were partial to a drop of gin, so we brought them a bottle as an introductory gift (and a delicious cake made by Project Manager, Charlene!). Mary set out some raised beds and measured up for a polytunnel which is due to be installed next week.

Starting next week, we have some regular volunteering sessions available at both gardens and there will be more opening up in due course, so get in touch with Charlene if you would like to be added to the roster! charlene@customfoodlab.org