From 22nd to the 29th of April, over 100 community growing spaces will open their gates to welcome volunteers, both new and old, to explore ways to get involved in community growing, celebrate the arrival of Spring, and advocate for the protection and expansion of community growing spaces.
These gardens will invite visitors to meet neighbours, learn new skills, and see how easy it can be to grow your own food. Activities will range from seed swaps and garden tours to school visits, art exhibitions, panel discussions, and film screenings.
Amidst a landscape fraught with environmental and systemic challenges, community gardens are operating within decidedly precarious conditions. The latest State of UK Nature report reveals alarming statistics, with “no let-up in the decline of our wildlife, with 1 in 6 species at risk of being lost from Great Britain.”
According to a study by CPRE, green spaces in poorer parts of England are less likely to be protected against being bulldozed and developed than those in more affluent areas, exacerbating the threat to urban food-growing spaces.
Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, is using this week to call on councils to protect these assets and increase access to land and other resources for community growing spaces.
They are partnering with Incredible Edible’s Right to Grow campaign to advocate for better access to growing spaces, following increasing barriers to land and over 175,000 people in the UK currently on allotment waiting lists. ]
Lily O’Mara-Adembesa, Good to Grow coordinator, said: “Across the country, the Good to Grow network show us year after year the enduring value of community food growing in protecting local nature, helping to tackle food insecurity and strengthen community bonds.
“There are so many ways to get involved in your local garden and so many need volunteers to help keep these vital community hubs going. Have a look at our interactive map to see what our amazing gardens have going on in your area during Good to Grow week.”
Pru Elliott, Incredible Edible. said: “Good to Grow week is an opportunity inspire communities and showcase the social and health benefits of community growing. But those who are inspired to set up new gardens often face serious challenges dealing with red tape and bureaucracy at local authority level.
“We’re calling for a Right to Grow; a change in local authorities policies to make community growing accessible for many more groups.”
Rachel Dring, Capital Growth Coordinator, added: “Good to Grow Week shows off the wide variety of urban food growing spaces and is a great way for people to discover their local community gardens.
“These are oases from the hustle and bustle where people can grow their own food, connect with nature and their neighbours. In a time of cost-of-living crisis, political turmoil and the epidemic of loneliness, these gardens are essential spaces for community connection and wellbeing – yet they are always at threat of development, and the demand for space to grow is on the rise.
“So we use this week to demonstrate how more than ever, we need these spaces in our communities for people and for wildlife”.
Find and visit your local participating garden by using our interactive map and clicking on the red carrot pins in your area.
Still plenty of treasure in the kist, and still plenty of time for you to get sowing! Drop in to get some free seeds you can try growing this year.
We look after the Seed Kist – a stash of seeds for the community, some saved from crops at the farm, and by other growers in north Edinburgh, and some spare commercial seed packets that people donated.
You don’t need to bring any seeds if you don’t have any – it’s a free share, and we want these seeds Drop in to the seed share to get some free seeds you can try growing this year. You don’t need to bring any seeds if you don’t have any – it’s a free share, and we want these seeds your hands.
We will be in the green portacabin, through the gate at the back of the Toby Carvery car park. It is level but rough ground, with a step up to the cabin. We can come out to meet you if the portacabin is not accessible – feel free to contact us ahead of time if you want to make an arrangement, or we can work it out on the day.
After our lovely inaugural Orchard Wassail last month, and winter pruning the existing trees, we are ready to plant some additional trees in the orchard – apples, cherries, damsons, gages and the mulberry!
If you would like to join the Community Orchard Group and help with planting, come along this Saturday 9th March, from 11am.
Meet at the green portacabin, just inside the farm gate off the Toby Carvery car park.
Could Lauriston Farm be part of an active travel route for you?
If there is community interest, we would be able to apply for funding to construct accessible paths that would allow you to walk, wheel or cycle across the farm without getting muddy.
YESTERDAY’s Apple Wassailing was not the last of the Community Orchard action!
On Saturday 10th February, come along and help us plant new fruit trees, and find out more about the orchard group (you don’t need to be a member, feel free to come and help out as a one-off). No experience necessary – it’s a great chance to learn. Tools and gloves provided.
Sat 10th February, 11am – 1pm
Meet at green portacabin through the gate at the back of the Toby Carvery car park.
His Majesty The King will lead the nation, alongside the Prime Minister and defence chiefs, in a two-minute silence to remember those who died in conflict
Almost 10,000 veterans will march past Cenotaph in tribute to servicemen and women that made the ultimate sacrifice
For the first time veterans of Britain’s nuclear testing programme will wear new medals announced by the Prime Minister to recognise their special service
In the first Remembrance Sunday service since the Coronation in May of this year, His Majesty The King will be joined by Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister, senior politicians, defence chiefs and faith leaders to mark the Armistice of the First World War and all other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces.
Around 10,000 veterans and 800 Armed Forces personnel members from all three services will march past the Cenotaph on Sunday, with thousands more members of the public expected to line Whitehall in London to pay their respects.
Remembrance Sunday is a time of extraordinary unity as communities gather to remember all those who have died on our behalf and tens of thousands of Armed Forces personnel will take part in Remembrance services and events across the country and around the world, including on operations overseas. The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph will be broadcast live by the BBC and Sky News.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The courage and commitment shown by our servicemen and women, both today and throughout the generations that came before them, is humbling and I know many across the country will be honouring their memory today in quiet reflection.
“Recent events have served as a stark reminder that we cannot take the hard-earned peace we live in for granted, which is why I am honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of the nation in the memory of all those that have lost their lives defending our country and the values we hold so close.
“I am determined to ensure we never forget the ultimate sacrifice they have made.”
Of the 9,910 individuals marching this year, 304 different Armed Forces and civilian organisations will be represented, as well as around 300 veterans not affiliated with an association, who have been invited by The Royal British Legion to march for the first time.
Those marching will also include Nuclear Test Veterans who for the first time, will wear a medal acknowledging their important service.
The Nuclear Test Medal was announced by the Prime Minister in November 70 years after the first British test of a nuclear weapon, and recognises military, civilian, and overseas staff and personnel who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing programme in the 1950s and 1960s.
Among those marching will be people of all ages – from 100-year-old Second World War veterans through to children of servicemen and women who have died in conflict, with the youngest marcher being just eight years old.
Many of those marching will reflect particularly on conflicts which mark a major anniversary this year, such as the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement and the 20th anniversary of the start of the UK’s military operations in Iraq.
Among the hundreds of Armed Forces personnel on parade at the Cenotaph will be Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and the service chiefs of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “As the nation comes together to remember all those who died serving their country, we remember with gratitude the sacrifices of the entire Armed Forces community and thank all those in uniform who protect our country and its way of life.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “For the men and women that gave their today for our tomorrow.
“For the generations before that fought for the freedom of the generation after. For those who stood up, fought for and died to protect our values – today we thank and remember them. I encourage everyone, no matter where you are, to join us in a national two-minute silence in memory of those who served our country.”
Remembrance also reminds us of our solemn responsibility to support the entire Armed Forces community all year round.
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs has been leading government efforts to make the UK the best country in the world to be a veteran. This includes launching Op FORTITUDE, a new housing pathway earlier this year, and Op COURAGE, a dedicated mental healthcare pathway.
The Defence Secretary has also made it his personal priority to ensure serving personnel are properly supported during their time on active duty. This week the Ministry of Defence will announce the roll out of more than £400 million of improvements to living accommodation for service personnel, including upgrades to more than 4,000 military homes.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP, said: “Today we remember those who sacrificed so much for our country and the freedoms we enjoy.
“20 years after the start of the Iraq War, I know that during the two minute’s silence at eleven o’clock, I will be remembering in particular those veterans of that conflict, and the contribution they made.
“This year is also particularly poignant, as it is the first year our Nuclear Test Veterans will march past the Cenotaph with their new medal.”
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: “At the Cenotaph, around the country and on operations overseas, members of the Armed Forces will pause to remember all those who have died in service of their country.
“The legacy of the fallen lives on in the dedication and duty of today’s Armed Forces.”
Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion said: “Remembrance is about bringing communities and individuals together to honour the sacrifices of the Armed Forces community, past and present.
“This year, 60 years on, we are remembering the extraordinary contribution of the millions of National Servicemen conscripted during the post-war years, as well as the sacrifices made by those who served in the Korean War 70 years ago.
“We also mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush and the contribution of the Windrush generation, who travelled from the Caribbean to help rebuild Britain after the Second World War.
“Our Armed Forces make sacrifices every day so we can enjoy our freedoms and way of life. This weekend we encourage people to take a moment to reflect and remember their service.”
THIS morning I will remember my dear old friend TONY DELAHOY who served his country with distinction during the Second World War.
Tony was fortunate enough to survive the war but he never forgot those comrades he fought alongside but had to leave behind.
Last month, friends and family gathered at the Lauriston Farm for a lunch to celebrate Tony’s life and a tree was planted in his honour.
‘A true gentleman’ was a phrase oft repeated on a very special day for all those community members who were privileged to attend.
Join us for our 2nd annual Harvest Celebration at Lauriston Agroecology Farm from 2pm – 5.30pm on Saturday the 30th September!
Line up as follows…
2pm – 3pm : “Arise” Storytelling Show from The Breadagogues – this show is free, but seats are limited, so please book to guarantee a reservation for the show. Unreserved standing places will also be available on the day.
2pm – 3pm : Soil Explorations in the field & under the microscope with Lauriston Soil Lab
2pm – 4pm : Apple Pressing with Lauriston Farm’s Orchard Group
2.30pm – 3.15pm : Herbal Walk with Grass Roots Remedies
3.00pm onwards : Food from Scran Academy
3 – 3.10pm : Spoken Word from Vicky Nyanga-Ndiaye
3.10pm – 4.10pm : Shunpike Social Club – Cumbia, Brazilian and Cuban music with big band flair
3.15pm – 4pm : Writing Workshop with Vicky Nyanga-Ndiaye
3.30pm – 5pm : Herbal Tea Bag Making with Grass Roots Remedies
4pm – 5.30pm : Grain Processing with a pedal powered mill (TBC)
4.10pm – 4.20pm : Spoken Word from Ayden Brouwers
4.20pm – 4.30pm : “Soil Health = Community Health” Cranky Theatre Show
4.30pm – 5.30pm : Open Music Session hosted by Shea Martin and Omar Afif – feel free to play or just listen to the audible pleasures. You can bring your own instrument or borrow one.
+ Veg, bread and herbal market stalls, face painting, games & crafts throughout!
Neighbours! This Saturday 12th August, join us in the allotments with Granton Community Gardeners to harvest the first wheat crop at Lauriston Farm for many years.
Edinburgh Agroecology Coop – Join us on 20th May for an afternoon exploring Lauriston Farm – the UK’s largest regenerative urban farming project – and speak to people involved!
