Published on 16th May 2012
Cheltenham Borough Council and Transition Town Cheltenham are working together to produce an edible garden in the heart of the town for local residents to enjoy.
The Annecy Garden in Sandford Park (at the top of the Strand) has been converted into a vegetable garden which is ornamental, productive and insect-friendly. Colourful annual flowers will be grown alongside an array of delicious edibles.
Planting has now started and everyone is welcome to get involved with working sessions being held every Monday evening throughout the summer and autumn from 6pm-8pm. Transition Town are inviting people to come and do some weeding, watering and planting in good company. All you need to do is bring a trowel and some gardening gloves, if you have them, and a bag so that you can go away with some samples of fresh produce to taste.
Lorraine Du Feu from Transition Town Cheltenham, said: “We are keen to help people grow their own and we have kindly been offered this part of Sandford Park to make an edible garden to inspire others to do likewise. So that the garden is attractive to everyone, including insects, no artificial fertilisers or chemical pest controls will be used.
“If you are passing by the garden, then do stop to admire the beautiful edibles, and help yourself to a courgette, a few pods of beans, and some salad leaves, but please don't take whole plants. We hope to have events throughout the growing season and a grand harvest festival at the end of the project in the autumn.”
Malcolm Walls, community parks officer at the council, added: “We are fully supportive of this project because it promotes healthy eating and enables people to see how easy it is to grow there own.”
Councillor Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for sustainability, commented: “Initiatives such as the edible garden enable local residents to be self-sufficient and grow better food, whilst having fun and learning new skills. They are good environmentally and avoid air freighting food over long distances. It would be great to see projects like this happen in other areas of Cheltenham.''
If you want to know more about the project, please get in touch with Lorraine at lorraine.dufeu@gmail.com or visit the Transition Town website.
For press enquiries contact: Kelly Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email kelly.carter@cheltenham.gov.uk
Notes to Editors:
Photographers are welcome to attend the Monday evening session that runs from 6pm-8pm.
Planting has now started and everyone is welcome to get involved with working sessions being held every Monday evening throughout the summer and autumn from 6pm-8pm. Transition Town are inviting people to come and do some weeding, watering and planting in good company. All you need to do is bring a trowel and some gardening gloves, if you have them, and a bag so that you can go away with some samples of fresh produce to taste.
Lorraine Du Feu from Transition Town Cheltenham, said: “We are keen to help people grow their own and we have kindly been offered this part of Sandford Park to make an edible garden to inspire others to do likewise. So that the garden is attractive to everyone, including insects, no artificial fertilisers or chemical pest controls will be used.
“If you are passing by the garden, then do stop to admire the beautiful edibles, and help yourself to a courgette, a few pods of beans, and some salad leaves, but please don't take whole plants. We hope to have events throughout the growing season and a grand harvest festival at the end of the project in the autumn.”
Malcolm Walls, community parks officer at the council, added: “We are fully supportive of this project because it promotes healthy eating and enables people to see how easy it is to grow there own.”
Councillor Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for sustainability, commented: “Initiatives such as the edible garden enable local residents to be self-sufficient and grow better food, whilst having fun and learning new skills. They are good environmentally and avoid air freighting food over long distances. It would be great to see projects like this happen in other areas of Cheltenham.''
If you want to know more about the project, please get in touch with Lorraine at lorraine.dufeu@gmail.com or visit the Transition Town website.
For press enquiries contact: Kelly Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email kelly.carter@cheltenham.gov.uk
Notes to Editors:
Photographers are welcome to attend the Monday evening session that runs from 6pm-8pm.
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