Regular readers of this blog will know that two of us behind this project have recently relocated to Keynsham which is between Bristol and Bath. Now we’ve finished unpacking, we’re slowly starting to get our feet under the table when it comes to activism. This is a post we recently put up about a number of events coming up in our immediate area: Coming up in Keynsham… 14.8.22. The first event we went to was the Dig In at Keynsham Community Veg Plot in the Park which took place on Saturday 20.8. Given that this was the first ‘hands on’ activity we’ve undertaken in a while, let’s just say we felt it the next day! Having said that, it was good to spend a few hours working with like minded people:)
The next event coming up from the Keynsham Community Veg Plot in the Park is this:
10th annivesrary
The plot has been going for ten years and this event will be marking that as well as reaching out to the community and welcoming new volunteers.
2pm, Saturday 3.9.22
Ten years is a decent length of time for a project like this to be going. What’s good about the location of this one is that it’s in a very public place right by the park cafe and a lot of people walking past can see what the volunteers at the plot are trying to achieve. Which is a range of aims from involving the community in growing their own vegetables and providing companionship through to raising questions about the length and fragility of the food supply chains we rely upon.
You don’t need us to tell you that as a result of a complex mix of factors, the price of food is going up. Which makes promoting the idea that we can grow our own food all the more important. This is one of the many posts we’ve put up about this: A few thoughts on food (in)security 15.3.22.
For inspiration and ideas to get you going and maybe, a project to get stuck into, have a look at the projects listed on these links pages:
After our stint at the vegetable plot in the park, we started thinking how good it would be to have a community vegetable plot in every park. Depending on the type of neighbourhood the plot would be in, the focus of what it’s trying to achieve would vary. Needless to say, it has to be something the community genuinely wants as opposed to activists parachuting into a neighbourhood with grand ideas for turning everyone into an organic gardener. There are neighbourhoods where there is a real need for healthy, affordable food. Sure, you can buy fresh produce that’s good for your health at a farmers market but, it does not come cheap! We need to get away from the notion that fresh vegetables are the preserve of the middle class when they should be available to everyone at a price they can afford. This is where community vegetable plots come into play.
Vandalism? There’s always going to be a risk. However, the answer to that lies in the word ‘community’. If a vegetable plot in the local park is something that the neighbours want and work together on, it will create a situation where any attack on the plot will be seen as an attack on the community. The perpetrators will have to face the anger of the community. That will hopefully be enough of a deterrent.
Let’s see the plots spread far and wide:)
GRASSROOTS ALTERNATIVES - Archive 