This information has been provided by Clare, who enthused many of us at our recent showing of In Transition. If you’re interested in finding out more then please contact Clare (details below).

Horfield and District Allotment Association is a busy and productive association, which leases three separate sites from Bristol City Council, spread over two or three miles.
The demand for plots is very high, and in recent years in order to respond to this, plots have been decreased in size to allow access to more people. Despite this, there is currently a two-year waiting list for a plot on the Golden Hill site.
There is, however, a piece of previously unused land which we want to turn into a productive growing space for wider community use. This is poor quality waterlogged clay, but with drainage and raised beds, this could be turned into a valuable community resource.
There is already a pond and wildlife area and a composting scheme on this part of the site. And there is a site, about one acre, or five to six large plots, which we would like to develop as a community allotment and forest garden for local food growing.
Our allotment association is run independently from the local authority, with an established committee. We already host the Horfield Organic Community Orchard, another project run by local people for the local community.
Our plans for the site are to develop a community space where local people can learn about growing food, about taking part in healthy outside activity, engage in horticultural therapy and learn new skills. The allotment will act as a demonstration garden, showing people what they can grow at different times of year in a small space.
We are particularly keen to create an inclusive and accessible site where people with mental and physical health problems can benefit from the project – joining in with food growing, taking up learning opportunities, and experiencing the restorative enjoyment of being in an outdoor natural environment. We are also keen to involve children and young people, through schools and youth groups.
We plan to make the allotment space available to a range of community groups to learn about gardening in a supported way. We believe all the participants will benefit from a project that includes people of all abilities.
We are currently applying for funding from the National Lottery Local Food Fund. We hope to gain funding to build raised beds, create pathways, erect a poly tunnel, build a compost loo, provide seating and create a forest garden. We are hoping to fund a part time post to provide horticultural input and organise volunteers.
As part of the application process we have had a visit from a national lottery local food adviser. Although competition for funding is fierce, she believes we have a strong project.
She said: “A strength of your application is the focus on creating an inclusive and accessible site where people with mental and physical health problems can benefit from the project.”
“Another strength is the holistic nature of the project, encompassing the growing cycle from seeds and propagation to growing, harvesting, (maybe even eating?), composting and back to growing.”
We are looking for folk who can devote a bit of time who would be interested in helping to develop this project. The job in hand at the moment is to do some consultation with likely interested users/partners. This could be talking to schools or youth groups, talking to residential homes, talking to self-help health groups.
If you think you could help, get in touch!
Clare Hanson-Kahn, plot 10a Davis Field
(0117) 944 4413
clarehansonkahn@blueyonder.co.uk

We need now to appeal for your donations. Our activities in 2010-11 are attached.

Please make a donation of £5, £10 or even more to Sustainable Bishopston, by one of the following means:

1. Online – use our new secure online donation facility
2. In person when you attend our next gathering at 8pm on Wednesday 5th October at St Michael’s Church Hall, Pigsty Hill, Gloucester Road.  We shall be discussing ‘Who feeds Bristol?’
3. By cheque, payable to ‘Sustainable Bishopston’  - contact us for the address to send / deliver your cheque

We need to keep active.

Many thanks

Sarah Thomson
Treasurer.

Most of the energy came from ourselves and of course the sun shone for good measure. There was a good feeling of bonhomie and visitors were pleased with our stall and delightful homemade banner. Thinking for the future with more constrained resources didn’t appear to upset many people in such a lively setting. Some visitors were knowing and some visitors were keen to discover what Sustainable Bishopston was all about. Many stayed for a long chat and linked to other community groups.

Sarah Thomson ran a raffle for reusable Onya Bags (winners, Catherine Smith & Evie Murphy) and Martin Fodor conducted a game which would lead one to save 10% of one’s carbon emissions. Chairman, Rupert Higgins and Secretary, Ian Baker were on hand to impart information and squeeze a donation. Where to keep bicycles safely, which were good routes, how better to insulate, woodburning, saving more energy, saving water – the topics kept coming.

It was a lovely event.

With thanks to our colleagues, The Friend’s of St Andrew’s Park.

[Thanks to Martin Fodor for the photos]

It’s practical, accessible for ordinary people, designed to help everyone find their own answers to useful questions like: how can I deal with rising prices, draughty older homes, and respond to climate change, and take steps that suit my lifestyle and help me to save energy?

It’s a tried and tested course, tailored to local needs, and was developed with the city’s CREATE Centre. Feedback has been really positive, helping previous participants develop their own projects, gain confidence to talk to professional installers, and make almost immediate savings at home, so Bishopston residents are lucky to be the first to get a local version in our area of the city.

It will cover: