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Discover Bristol’s green havens and growing hotspots
Bristol will be buzzing with life this weekend as the annual Get Growing Trail takes over the city.
Nature lovers, families and green fingered fanatics are invited to wend their way through local green spaces, gathering tips and inspiration from gardens, allotments and urban farms.
This year, a number of the 32 participating sites are focused on supporting marginalised groups and improving local community wellbeing.
is needed now More than ever
The Food Bank plot in Fishponds grows and collects fresh produce which is then donated to local food banks and homeless charities – photo: Irene Blessitt
The Food Bank Plot started life in 2018 as a pair of overgrown plots on the Thingwall Park allotment site in Fishponds. The rubbish and scrub was cleared by volunteers in 2018, with a view to growing fresh organic produce for a local food bank.
The plot, along with other allotmenteers on site, collects fresh produce to donate to St Luke’s Lunch, a Barton Hill project that provides a daily meal for families living in poverty during the school holidays. “The whole site is involved and the generosity of tenants never ceases to amaze,” says Irene Blessitt, project coordinator.
The plot now supplies three food banks and donates veg for meals for the homeless to the Julian Trust, as well as hosting weekly Tuesday morning volunteer sessions.
Irene sees the allotment as contributing to a wider conversation around food industry impacts.
“Food is a political and global issue,” she says. “Its production has destroyed the planet and contributed greatly to climate change.
“Food is also a local issue – rivers are polluted by chemical run off from factory farms, some people believe that damaged topsoil means there are not many harvests left. We will be fighting for food.”
Amidst anxieties around environmental issues, the plot offers some solace.
“I am pessimistic about the future of this planet and fear for my children and grandchildren,” Irene continues.
“I don’t think that we can change things until governments take the issues seriously. The best thing that I can do is to act locally to protect green spaces, to create space for wildlife, to grow food organically and to share ideas.
“I don’t think that these things will stop climate change but you never know…”
Roots and Fruits brings access to nature and growing to an area that has very little green space – photo: Sasha Robertson
Roots and Fruits, a one-year-old growing project in the heart of St Paul’s, is designed to bring some green space to local residents in a nature-deprived area.
The ‘small but productive’ site by St Paul’s Learning Centre produces veg, herbs, fruit and flowers. Their weekly Tuesday afternoon session, open to anyone struggling with mental health issues and social isolation, is welcoming new members.
“We love to spend time learning and enjoying this tranquil space each week,” says Sasha Robertson.
On Sunday of the Get Growing Trail weekend they will be hosting a Hapa Zomes Japanese fabric printing workshop, and sowing seeds to take home.
The Sea Mills community garden patch is behind the garages above Sylvan Way, near the Shirehampton Road traffic lights – photo: M Morris
“Our motto at Sea Mills community garden is Growing Food Together,” says Maria Stuart, the project’s coordinator.
“We share out our harvest at volunteer sessions, as well as supplying some produce for our local cafe, the Cafe on the Square, particularly soft fruit for their homemade cakes.”
The garden aims for accessibility, tailoring tasks to suit abilities and interests. A wide parking space and paths render the plot wheelchair-suitable.
Their Muddy Monday sessions are enjoyed by young families and school holiday activity afternoons are nature themed. There will be children’s activities in the garden on Saturday, June 15 from 1-5pm.
“We love to garden with wildlife in mind and our forage garden is left more wild to support the many birds and animals that live alongside us,” says Maria.
there will be activities and workshops for the whole family to get involved with over the weekend – photo: Guy Manchester
Other gardens involved include Alive’s dementia-friendly garden in Brentry, Belfast Walk raised-bed site in Knowle West, and the Haven community nature project for people recovering from addiction in Claybottom.
Workshops include fruit tree pruning, lino print cutting, and making rustic hanging baskets and bug hotels. See the full list of sites and activities at www.bristolgoodfood.org/ggt
For those that prefer to stick south of the river this weekend, Bedminster’s Secret Gardens will open up 25 ‘hidden treasures and enchanting green spaces’ including a hedgehog haven, a tiny prehistoric plant world and a captivating pink paradise.
Explore the map at bloomingbedminster.org.uk or pick up a free guide from the Riverside Garden Centre, the Southville Centre or Windmill Hill City Farm.
Main photo: Guy Manchester
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