New Direction

So much has been happening here in the Community Garden over the last 3 years and since the Covid lockdowns, yet we have not been reporting any of it. A host of regular volunteers and stalwarts have continued to work improving the garden and raised beds, month on month clearing the old beds weeding tidying and planting.

In the last few months, several people have retired due to illness, other priorities, a busy life or old age. Luckily there has been an influx of new enthusiastic and committed volunteers to take up the incredible impulse from where they left off. It has taken awhile for us to find our feet. Yet the garden has been growing and producing during all this time.

When I joined the garden about 2 years ago, Willy and Phil were taking arm loads of produce to the Food Kitchens in Hailsham and Uckfield during the summer and autumn months. Stella and Lula were regularly bringing loads of seeds and plants to the garden and organised a wonderful summer felting event that brought Lydfords Care Home residents to visit us.

This seems a perfect opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of you who have kept the life and enthusiasm for the Community Garden alive in your hearts and in your actions. Week after week, volunteers like James, Rob, Kate, Jenny, Megan, Dan, Jamie, Mark, Patrick and Sammy have quietly and steadily kept the garden going — digging, planting, watering, repairing, and always bringing good humour and dedication with them. Their commitment through every season has been the backbone of our progress and their presence is felt in every corner of the garden. To those who’ve moved on, we are deeply grateful for all you’ve given — and to those who continue to show up rain or shine, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You make this community garden what it is.

We are part of a larger field of Garden Allotments and the whole group of us are planning a group gathering on May 25th. This will be an opportunity to meet new neighbouring allotment holders and catch up with others. If you are reading this and would like to join us please use the email address at the bottom of the page.