It may have been the spring sunshine that attracted so many volunteers down to the Children’s Food Forest Garden on a Saturday in March to help tend this fast-developing nature area.
Cllr Milly Chen, the force behind the Children’s Food Forest Garden, was delighted to welcome over 20 volunteers (adults and children) to join her and local gardener David Rivalin at the community working session on 15 March. “The weather was amazing, too,” said Milly, “and a lot was done.”
David has kindly donated more plants for the area and provided valuable guidance to the volunteers. The adults managed to remove a lot of the weeds from the ground to provide space for planting more edible plants, which the children were putting into the ground.
“I was so pleased to see how hands-on the children were,” Milly said. “They did an amazing job, helping to plant perennial herbs and flower bulbs.”
The group also ensured the nascent fruit trees are protected with cardboard jackets and woodchips.
“I would like to thank everyone who came to help,” said Milly. “It’s amazing how much can be achieved when a group of enthusiastic people come together. Thank you!”
Eynsham Community Primary School, under the guidance of Mr Williams, is currently planning how to make use of the site with the children to help them learn more about nature. Mr William’s continued support is very much appreciated, as is the generosity of Victoria and her husband Sam, two residents who live close to the site and have volunteered to help care for it.
For those who haven’t yet seen the allotment-like Children’s Food Forest Garden Milly is nurturing, it’s located within the Old Witney Road play area and we’d encourage all to take a look! The Food Forest Garden is already proving beneficial in helping local children understand more about nature and the environment, as well as developing awareness of where their food comes from.