Bid to inspire people to grow their own food

Thornbury-based Grow Your Own Food believes it has the answers to problems faced by shoppers as they tackle the weekly trip to the supermarket.

Its members are committed to inspiring everyone to grow some of their own food, helping them to save money and the environment.

It holds informal meetings on the first Friday of every month around the town, encouraging residents to pick up spade and fork.

Its founder, former New York resident Heather Witham, set up the group as a follow-up to the town's ecological group.

"In the ecological group we explored the carbon footprint and price of buying food from miles away," she said.

"We learned about people in Cuba, who faced with the constant oil shortages, had set up schemes in the community for people to grow their own food.

"I thought we should try to do the same and so far we have had good support."

Mrs Witham admits she was once a gardening dodger.

"I never sowed a seed in my life and had no urge to do so," she said.

"But when I moved to Thornbury in 2003 and saw the flourishing allotments and gardens and then the high price of vegetables, I thought I'd have a dig.

"It was by no means easy work, but after a few months I had a small vegetable patch to pick from - it felt an amazing achievement walking out to pick up some carrots for dinner.

"I had picked up the gardening bug."

Her group meets in residential homes and community venues around the town.

Each meeting features a talk from an expert gardener' and a typical audience of about 20 people.

"People come and listen on the Friday night then by the Saturday morning they are ready to tackle the garden," Mrs Witham said.

"It isn't easy and can sometimes take up to three years to create a fertile vegetable patch.

"But once people get it, they find it so rewarding and come back eager to learn more."

The group, however, admits it is struggling to find green fields where it can grow vegetable patches in the town.

A waiting list currently stands at nearly 30 people long for allotments from Thornbury Allotments' Association.

Mrs Witham is appealing for help from residents who would be happy to let out their home garden to the scheme.

Anyone interested in the group can call Mrs Witham on 01454 853560.