Community: The amazing growing projects of Hull

I spent the day with John Pickles from Hull Food Partnership, visiting several of the growing projects around Hull as part of our mission to help tackle the serious food poverty issues in the city.

The Day started at Pickering Road Community Orchards - 350 tree's, bee's, and a wildlife area, all next to one of the busiest main roads in Hull. What an amazing and tranquil haven. Well worth a visit, they need help with the harvest soon, full details on their website here:

http://www.hullorchard.co.uk/

We then headed over to East Hull Community Farm, yep a farm in Hull. Run by the community for the community. 

What a truly inspiring place. They have a fantastic selection of farm animals, well worth taking the kids along to see some great characters during the summer holidays...and why not pick up some locally grown produce whilst you are there. Website details here:

http://www.easthullcommunityfarm.co.uk/

The next stop was to visit one of the raised beds projects in Marfleet, that started as part of the city-wide Big Dig initiative earlier in the year.

Literally, a spare piece of ground, no bigger than 3m x 5 m was the home to 2 flourishing raised beds full of great looking vegetables. Once again, run by the community for the community. Inspiring.

And the final stop was to visit Hessle Road Network, a community and young people's centre. They too had participated in the Big Dig and had 3 raised beds that were overflowing with vegetables and flowers.

I was in awe of just how many growing projects there are across the city. Run by incredibly passionate people, in challenging environments, with very little, if any, financial resource.

Very humbling. You just have to do something to help. So we are.

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