Get Closer To Spring

SPRING is in the step of a growing group as it sows its seeds more widely and digs in for closer community connections. 

Incredible Edible Loughborough shared its experience of reclaiming public spaces to grow food at a wellbeing event at Coalville CAN (community and neighbours) as its shoots also reached Sileby where a new group formed in the approach to the equinox. 

The local renegade gardeners led by chairman Julian Rees have also been in discussions with the Mario Tinenti Centre, the Falcon Centre and New Springs Church about taking over further disused urban areas to grow fresh produce for the community tackling food insecurity.  

Mr Rees said the group is reaching out.  

“Through our presence at sustainability fairs, our open morning and running workshops for the public, we’ve established a mailing list of over 115 supporters and a list of more than 22 growers and donators of plants,” he said. 

But he emphasised there is still much to do.  

“A new aspect of our work is to cultivate seeds in a research bed with involvement with Gaia Foundation. Some of the volunteers are considering joining the Peter Le Marchant Trust in the upkeep of an allotment as a nursey bed to feed into the eight other plots,” said Mr Rees. 

The group also intends to hold a Citizens’ Food Assembly at Fearon Hall later in the year to look for solutions to the food and environment crises. 

“In the UK there are still 7.5 million people living in low or very low food security while the CEO of a major supermarket takes home many millions. The percentage decline of wildlife is massive with more than 133 species of wildlife extinct since 1950,” said Mr Rees. 

“Fifteen per cent of the remaining wildlife species are close to extinction largely due to food production,” he added. 

Upcoming workshops include increasing soil fertility through the Korean Natural Farming method and discovering the wonders of food fermentation.