Our latest story is from Dan Nettelsmith who has leased an acre of council land in Hengrove and is growing vegetables using no-dig growing methods. Dan is looking for veg-share volunteers to join – not only to get stuck into growing, but also for bookkeeping, marketing, CSA experience, community outreach, cooking and soil and compost testing. Read on to discover how you can get involved.
Our latest blog is from Bristol citizen Annabel Hosford. Inspired by a Bristol Bites Back Better story by another Bristol resident, Dominic Knight, Annabel is now determined to connect up allotmenteers to share their bountiful harvests with community food projects. Find out how you can get involved in the Bountiful Bristol project.
Alex Goodman, new head grower at Purple Patch, shares news from the St Werburghs market garden. We hear from Alex about the launch of Purple Patch’s new season veg boxes on June 6 and find out more about the opportunity to volunteer at this beautiful space. Also, watch out for the Summer Fair in August when the farm is open for all to visit the garden – details to follow.
Read more about Bristol’s new ‘satellite hub’ of the Chelsea Fringe Festival, and events being hosted here in the city in our latest Bristol Bites Back Better blog. A number of Bristol-based gardens will be opening to visitors for the Chelsea Fringe and they are looking forward to welcoming you!
Our latest story is from Pasquale Cinotti about his vision for a new “farm-to-table” culinary academy. Pasquale is looking for a venue for the school and social enterprise and is seeking help identifying a suitable location. Please get in touch with him if you can help. Gemelli’s Social Enterprise will run cookery classes, provide apprenticeships, and includes a unique element of helping older people (especially men) to learn how to cook.
Bristol’s first seed library was launched in Bishopston Library on 22 March, when people from the local community came together to celebrate and share what they plan to grow this year. A seed library works much like a traditional library. People from the local community “borrow” seeds from the seed library at planting time. At the end of the growing season, they save seeds from the plants and return a portion of the seeds to the library. We hear from organiser Emma Lewins about how it all works and how this exciting project is progressing.
Bristol and Bath’s Festival of Nature is back 10-18 June 2022 with a packed programme full of in-person, digital, and hybrid events, all aimed at helping people connect with and take action for nature. Hear from The Natural History Consortium team about the festival and other exciting events coming up in the region.
Groups growing fruit and vegetables for food banks are to benefit from crop plant donations for the third year running. Blaise Plant Nursery in Lawrence Weston is donating crop plants to over 45 community groups across the city who are supporting those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis, by growing food for food banks and schools.
Celia Briseid, Project Manager at Propagation Place, gives us an update about what’s happening this season at the social venture that’s part of St Werburghs City Farm. The urban food growing project has just launched an apprentice scheme and a new online course is about to commence. The course will be designed to inspire people wherever they are in the country to get growing. Read on to find out how buying plug plants directly from Propagation Place supports the local community.
Abi Sweet from Alive Activities writes the latest Bristol Bites Back Better story with input from colleague Guy Manchester. We hear about the new inclusive community garden project at the Wellspring Settlement opening on 3 March that will be a chance to bring some of the organisations based at the Settlement even closer. The team are looking for volunteers to support sessions and help the local community grow fruit, veg and flowers in a friendly, accessible space.
