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Donation helps pay for water butts, raised beds, compost bins and more
By Incredible Edible
[First published in the Loughborough Echo]
Susan Newcombe takes a look at the latest news and life for the green-fingered
Incredible Edible Loughborough has been working with Three Closes’ Residents Association to cultivate their green spaces into food-growing areas, and recently the housing association made a donation
BELIEF in the power of small actions was realised when a housing association donated gardening equipment to a residents’ association working with a growing group.
Three Closes Residents’ Association on Warwick Way received a considerable donation from landlord Stonewater housing association to support their work with Incredible Edible Loughborough – developing green spaces into food growing areas.
The leader of the association Sue Wilson said growing fresh produce for the estate will be increased thanks the donation, including the addition of raised beds designed for use by the disabled, more compost bins to create a three-bin system and an additional four water butts with taps.
“At the moment Incredible Edible relies on others for water supplies,” said Sue. “I heard about one lad who was also bringing water all the way from the stream in the summer. With these new water butts there should be a lot more collected and available.”
She added: “Since Incredible Edible has been working here, we’ve been harvesting beetroot, runner beans and soft fruit for residents. The donation also includes litter pickers to keep the area clean.”
Chair of the residents’ association Josie Falconer said it’s about getting people involved, particularly young people who tend to keep themselves to themselves.
“They perhaps like to work without our involvement. There are quite a few single-person flats here in the tower blocks and we don’t see much of them,” said Josie.
She said the group was more active before Covid when they used to cook fresh food for the elderly.
Making the produce more accessible by bagging it up after picking and leaving it in the community centre for people was discussed, as well as putting up posters on the notice boards in the blocks to encourage take-up as well as participation.
But now the community growers have their youngest ever member: eight-year-old Leo contributes his time and enthusiasm when he’s not at school to planting, having taken over a space to grow himself.
