Local voluntary group use Seaford Town flower beds as space for growing fruit, vegetables and herbs for the community
SEAFORD, 12TH JULY 2022 – Seaford Town Council have offered the space of the flower beds outside of local supermarket, Morrison’s, to local voluntary group Sharing Skills CIC. Led by Seaford resident, Gemma McFarlane, the voluntary group also run The Repair Café and offer a free community lunch at The Mercread Centre on the fourth Saturday of every month.
The small group of volunteers have started using the flower beds in Seaford as a community garden, with support from Seaford Town Council. The group were looking for a central plot in Seaford to educate people how their food grows, where it comes from and to gain interest from more people in food growing. Seaford Town Council offered the Morrison’s beds as a community space, which is an ideal place to start their project. There are now plans for more community gardens in Seaford by Friends of Sutton Downs and at the Peverells.
The voluntary group have so far planted fruit such as currants, gooseberries, rhubarb, strawberries and herbs for people to pick and use. They have also planted wildflowers to add colour and attract insects.
Gemma of Sharing Skills CIC, says “It's been lovely to walk past and see people looking to see what's there or to hear children excited to see a strawberry growing. Community food growing has become very popular all over the country in recent years. It brings people together to make friends, learn skills and grow food. It's also a great way to get exercise and improve wellbeing”.
Gemma was inspired to do something after reading about Incredible Edible Todmorden (www.incredibleedible.org.uk ). They are a group of passionate people working together for a world where all share responsibility for the future wellbeing of our planet and ourselves. Their main aim is to provide access to good local food for all.
There will soon be a noticeboard at the flower beds and a website with information to identify the different foods growing there and when to pick them. If you are passing, please look out for the wonderful new addition to the town!
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