Movement help sow the seeds of success

The fantastic work of Incredible Edible in encouraging people to plant and pick their own fruit and vegetables will extend across Calderdale.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Apr 2015, 12:00 BST
Pam Warhurst and Mary Clear of IETPam Warhurst and Mary Clear of IET
Pam Warhurst and Mary Clear of IET

Building on the international success of the movement in Todmorden, Calderdale Council launched the community growing license last spring as a pilot in the town.

The aim is to help groups of people work together to create spaces where they can grow their own produce on council-owned land.

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The scheme will now be extended to the Calder Ward - Hebden Bridge, Wadsworth, Heptonstall and Blackshaw Head - and the rest of Calderdale in the next two years.

Pam Warhurst from Incredible Edible Todmorden said: “Calderdale Council’s roll out of the licence to grow on public land is a huge opportunity for all of us to put more local food on our plates and live well in hard times.

“It is also a vote of confidence in local people to work together to build healthier places to live and shows real leadership from our local council.”

The Council has identified patches of unused land and created easy-to-understand guidance and an online map showing all the council-owned land available for community growing.

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Amd the council’s Neigbourhoods Team will offer help and support to groups who would like to get involved.

Coun Marcus Thompson, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Spring is here at last, and what better time to get outside and grow your own fruit and veg.

“Community growing is a great way for people to know where their food has come from, meet people, share ideas and put unused land to good use.

“People across Calderdale are telling us that they’d like to see more of this, so we’re extending our Todmorden scheme to spread the benefits throughout the borough.

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“The scheme is literally growing from strength to strength, with local government colleagues in the UK, New Zealand, Australia and Japan wanting to launch similar projects.”

If you are interested in giving community growing a go, contact Kirsten Fussing at [email protected] or on 01706 548133/07795 475743.

For more information, see www.calderdale.gov.uk

You can learn more on Incredible Edible Todmorden’s website www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk

The group also has a regular monthly column in the Todmorden News and Hebden Bridge Times.

Related topics:CalderdaleCouncilSpring