 I have bought a field on Wrington road with the aim of gradually developing most of it into a productive community garden. It is 2.4 acres of good land on a gentle south slope, so big enough to grow a lot of food for a number of people.
I want to develop a community growing project similar to others I have seen at Axbridge and Stroud. The principle is not to have individual allotments, which many people find hard to manage, but to share the work on one larger project.
What I propose as a starting point is to hold a meeting for those who are interested, so I can lay out the broad vision I have and then look for a way to develop it as a community project.
Within the bounds of keeping it organic and using permaculture I am very open to all ideas. Fundamental aims is to produce a good range and quantity of produce for local members, I would envisage that we would maybe sell on any surpluses to help fund further developments and maintenance, but this is not primarily a commercial project. In addition to vegetables and soft fruit I would also like some fruit and other trees, possibly also some flowers as there is a local market for these and it could displace imports.
In order to start things off I am currently arranging to make a better access made off the lane, plough up a section at one end to prepare for planting the first crops conventionally in the spring, putting in some fencing where necessary (rabbits may be a problem) and I have bought a large (120 x 18 feet) polytunnel frame to erect this winter.
Some random ideas
-keep it organic (it has only been grazed for years so should be pretty clean land)
-access by foot and bike as much as possible
-at least part of it to be developed on permaculture principles.
-fruit trees, nut trees, spaghetti trees
-grow enough for the members of the group and sell any surpluses locally
-probably have some small livestock if it can be managed...chickens, ducks, etc.
-a pond?
-have a recreation area, barbecue, small grassed area for events (and the occasional night's
camping for selected kids or other persons!)
-run relevant events and things there, maybe quarterly meals etc. when the weather is good
-use it to learn about gardening, horticulture, permaculture etc etc
-a small (very green) building subject to planning to use for shelter, making tea, teaching, small
events, etc.
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