Did you know that this month is ‘Goatober’? The campaign started in the US and came to the UK in 2016 as a way to prolong the lives of billy goats and encourage chefs to put goat meat on restaurant menus. We hear from Carol Laslett of Street Goat about how the Bristol-based project is helping people feel closer to where their food comes from and more connected to the land.
We hear from Alive’s Community Gardens Manager Abi Sweet about how Alive’s dementia-friendly allotments will feature on Gardeners’ World this week. Don’t miss the episode on Friday 7 October at 8pm on BBC Two. The screening comes in the same month as Bristol Age UK’s celebrating age festival.
Today’s Bristol Bites Back Better story is from Chloe and Anna, growers at Sims Hill, a member-owned and cooperatively run community-supported agriculture scheme (CSA) in Stapleton. Anna and Chloe write about the work Sims Hill are doing to provide opportunities at the farm for asylum seekers, refugees and people affected by the migration system.
Our latest story is all about Can Do Bristol, a fantastic resource for potential volunteers in the city and for community groups to advertise for volunteers. Nic Ferris, green space lover, allotment and city farm worker and Bristol city council employee, tells us more. She reflects on inspiring and joyful visits during this year’s Get Growing Trail and meeting proactive citizens that weekend.
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.
