A rundown block of flats has been demolished and a new way of life is about to take root in Huyton.
Knowsley Housing Trust – together with social enterprise Arena Future – has built community allotments where residents and schoolchildren will be trained in how to grow the best veg.
Cookery courses are also planned so that everyone can make the most of their homegrown produce.
From Saturday, November 27, residents will be invited to the allotments on Princess Drive to plant a tree as part of National Tree Week.
“We already have a waiting list for the allotments, which shows people are hungry to improve their diet,” said Dave Webster, of Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT).
“We are committed to helping people improve their health and wellbeing and growing your own food is a fantastic way of doing that while also helping to reduce your shopping bill.
“We have been so impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the local community in this project.”
Organisers are now inviting local residents to plant their own tree and find out more about how the allotments have grown.
The flats which previously stood on the site were demolished and KHT, who own the land, wanted to use the space to benefit the local community.
The allotments have taken seven months to complete and include 24 raised plots, two large beds that have been taken on by local schools, a shared poly tunnel, relaxation area and learning area.
All of the plots have already been allocated and several more residents are on the waiting list.
It is designed to be a gardening training ground, giving people the skills and knowledge to grow their own food at home.
The project has been managed by Arena Future – a social enterprise based in St Helens that provides training and employment opportunities across the region.
They created jobs for local people on the project through the Future Jobs Fund during its construction.
Andy Naylor, Sustainable Communities Officer for Arena Future, is overseeing the allotment project and will be providing support, advice and training.
He said: “The allotment project will support people to grow their own food while at the same time encouraging them to take an interest in open spaces within their local area.
“We are trying to bring the community together. We want people to be out here using the allotments all the time, we want schoolchildren to be growing their own food and cooking it in their school canteens.
“National Tree Week is a great chance for the community to do something positive for the local environment and have fun.
“We hope residents will come along to plant a tree and find out more about the allotments and the opportunities it can provide.”
The project will run for three years and then it is hoped residents will take over its running.
The allotments are open to anyone in the North Huyton area and are allocated for 12 months at a time, so that as many residents as possible get a chance to learn the necessary gardening skills.
Residents can plant a tree at the allotments between 10am and 3pm on Saturday, November 27, and from Monday, November 29 to Friday, December 3. Equipment and tools to plant the trees will be provided.
National Tree Week, organised by The Tree Council, runs from November 27 to December 5, and encourages communities to take part in tree planting activities.
Call Andy on 07739 090 533 to find out more.
terry, northwood kirkby community allo around 10 months, 1 week ago