Most of you may already know about the ‘Growing Kitchen’, an award winning resident lead gardening project on Wenlock Barn. We are situated opposite the Thomas Fairchild School and lie between Napier Grove and Shaftesbury St. We currently have 35 micro allotments, a raised seated herb space, wild area with pond, foraging area, bread oven and barbeque where we cook and come together. We also plant and manage Wenlock Orchard situated on the corner of Cropley St and Wenlock St.
Now in our 7th year our aim is to bring people together, enjoy the garden and improve the environment on our estate. We are a truly diverse community group and through organised monthly meetings we ensure that everyone has an equal say and stake in the garden and its future.
Throughout the year we organise pizza events, workshops and an annual open day. In early Spring we plan together what we are going to plant. Last year we acquired a greenhouse which allowed us to try more tender varieties of fruit and vegetables such as cho cho, sweet potatoes, basil and peppers. Moving forward we are planning to work with ‘Hackney Herbal’ and plant an area for growing and making herbal teas.
Would you like to join us? No previous gardening experience is required and you will receive a very warm welcome.
To find out more please pop by to the garden or email us on:
gkresidentgroup@googlemail.com
The Growing Kitchen Project was given the award by Dharmendra Kanini, director of England Big Lottery Fund at Wenlock Barn Estate in Napier Grove in Hoxton
Awards
Hoxton community food growing project wins recognition and an award
The Growing Kitchen Project was given the award by Dharmendra Kanini, director of England Big Lottery Fund at Wenlock Barn Estate in Napier Grove in Hoxton.
The Growing Kitchens project is run by Wenlock Barn Estate residents in the estate’s garden. They grow 20 different types of fruit and 50 different types of herbs and vegetables. They also have an apple orchard.
Up to 100 residents’ are involved in the scheme and tend the plots on a daily basis.
The project was set up initially five or six years by environmental organisation Grass Shoots.
Sarah Adams, chair of Wenlock Barn Tenants’ Management Organisation said: “We’re very very happy. It’s given us a real boost.
“Some people thought it was a rewarding day.
“A clay oven is central to our events and we cook food in it, such as pizza and vegetables.
“What makes this special is we are of all different backgrounds and beliefs.
“People from 12 countries all over the world take part so it’s very much a melting pot.
“It brings neighbours together. Everybody has shared input in to what we do. Everybody brings something different to the garden – something very special.”