Urban Growing
By Ramona Andrews
The Chelsea Fringe is all about harnessing and spreading the excitement and energy that fizzes around gardens and gardening. The predominantly London-based Chelsea Fringe showcases a wide range of work from professionals and enthusiasts, both from the gardening world and beyond. It is entirely independent of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (though acting with its support). Contributors create installations, events and experiences, exhibits, talks and walks. Read more about Bristol’s new ‘satellite hub’ of the festival and events being hosted in the city in our latest Bristol Bites Back Better blog.
Bristol Food Network is excited to be offering a ‘satellite hub’ in the city this year as part of the Chelsea Fringe. A number of Bristol-based gardens will be opening to visitors for the Chelsea Fringe and they are looking forward to welcoming you! The gardens are usually part of Bristol’s Get Growing Trail, which this year runs 17-18 September. Watch this space to find out more! If you want to get involved in any kind of community growing in Bristol, check out Bristol Food Network’s Get Growing Map.
All Bristol Chelsea Fringe events are listed on the Chelsea Fringe Festival website:
On Saturday 21 May, Lawrence Weston Community Farm will be selling freshly made soup from farm produce grown by volunteers, and will have an array of bedding plants, fruits, herbs and vegetable seedlings for sale. There will be a craft activity to get involved in – the likes of mud painting, weaving and a scavenger hunt around the farm. Brandon Trust’s Greenfields also garden on the farm and will be involved with a plant and craft sale. May 21st 2022: The farm is open 9.30am – 4.30pm and Chelsea Fringe activities will run from 11am until 2pm.
Did you know Filton Community Garden has a resident fairy? Some say she is the great, great niece of Tinkerbell herself! Children are invited to visit Filton Community Garden’s fairy workshop, where magic muscles can be exercised and mystery mused. There will be wand making, a potion kitchen and as always the fairy tree. Booking essential via eventbrite as places are limited (see link above). Children must be dressed to get mucky and be accompanied by parents for the duration of the workshop. May 21st 2022, 9.30-11am.
Kingswood Community Allotment’s Mindfulness of Nature Workshop is an introduction to mindfulness through nature awareness. Practise simple mindfulness techniques whilst exploring our experience of nature, and how this can be used to improve our mental and emotional wellbeing. Participation at this event must be booked via email with georginagreen@southernbrooks.org.uk ahead of time. May 25th 2022, 2-4pm.
Join Orchard Gardening Club in Kingswood, Bristol, planting out annual Summer flowers in a beautiful established walled garden with cream tea refreshments. Participation at this event must be booked by email with georginagreen@southernbrooks.org.uk ahead of time. May 26th 2022, 11-12.30.
Join ‘Veg on the Edge’ at Dame Emily Community Garden and contribute to sustainable food production. There will be a planting workshop on Saturday 28th May at the garden, where you can bring along any seedlings you’ve planted at home to be grown in the community. Some of what will be grown at the garden will be donated to BS3 Family Food Action Club, while the rest is accessible to all. May 28th 2022, 2-4pm.
By setting the wheels in motion now, together we can transform the future of food in our city, building in resilience over the next decade. So, what change do you want see happen that will transform food in Bristol by 2030? Do you already have an idea for how Bristol can make this happen? Join the conversation now.
So, what change do you want to see happen that will transform food in Bristol by 2030? Do you already have an idea for how Bristol can make this happen? Join the conversation now.
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