Community Garden Project

Fordhall Farm has enormous potential to inspire people of all ages to grow their own through the development of a Community Growing Scheme. Funding from the Big Lottery Local Food programme has seen the creation of four raised-beds and an orchard to be used as a community learning resource.

The overall aim of the project is to teach people in our local community about growing their own produce; providing support to people of all ages to have the confidence, skills and understanding to grow food, eat more healthily and engage with the outside environment. We have three years of funding to develop this project working with adults with learning difficulties, 3 local schools and people living in the local community.

Bex, an enthusiastic gardener and passionate about healthy living manages the garden, teaching people the basic principles of fruit and vegetable growing, providing participants with an understanding of organic growing principles and the chance to take home food grown in the garden.

At a time of rising fuel costs, concerns about food and where it comes and a growing interest in gardening, this project provides an opportunity to learn how to grow food and most importantly, the chance to take part in the growing process.

We have 3 schools currently taking part in the project. Regular term time visits mean the children are involved throughout the year, taking part in the yearly cycle of growing and harvesting. Children are always keen to take part in planting, weeding, harvesting and tasting. At a time when most children only get to go to the local supermarket for food, it's important to be able to show them how food grows and what it tastes like fresh from the ground.

Much appreciated for their weekly help are the Wayfarers from Raven House in Market Drayton and the Tuesday volunteer group. Regular sessions by these groups help to keep on top of the jobs in the garden.

For anyone interested in learning more about composting, organic gardening, herbs and container gardening, hazel hurdling and many other courses, please check the events page for more details.

If anyone would like to get involved with the gardening project please contact Bex by e-mail at Fordhall or by ringing the office.

This project is currently funded through the Big Lottery's Local Food programme.