30th June 2010

DORCHESTER: Community farm for Poundbury

by Anita Harries

Members of Transition Town Dorchester are campaigning to create a community farm and garden on Poundbury, and launched the initiative by holding an open day to gather ideas and exchange views with members of the public.

People from the group initially approached the Duchy of Cornwall with a view to leasing two acres of land behind the Weymouth College Construction Centre at Parkway Farm, which they now have on a peppercorn rent.

They are now keen to involve as many people as possible to move the project forward.

A great deal of interest has been shown in this project, and plans are already in progress for a possible layout of the land.

People have come forward with a whole range of ideas, all of which will be given due consideration and incorporated if at all possible.

As well as plans for a pond and wildlife area, pigs, bees and chickens could soon be sharing the land with fruit trees, soft fruit cages and polytunnels.

Raised beds for planting, with emphasis on making the whole area accessible to the disabled, could soon stand beside picnic tables and vines to see a community farm with countless possibilities.

This scheme is open to anyone, whether they are seasoned gardeners or interested in learning, already have their own garden or would like to become involved in this exciting project.

All produce will be grown communally rather than on individual plots, but organisers say they are working on a system to ensure everyone gets a fair share of the home grown fruit and vegetables.

And better still, it is free to take part.

Ian Reeves of Transition Town Dorchester said: “We held a very successful Open Day in which local residents had the opportunity to find out more about the farm and put forward their own suggestions.

“Any local organisations are more than welcome to join in and we shall be establishing a management committee to oversee the project.”

It is hoped that an initial meeting will be held on July 14th, and more information will soon be available on the website www.transitiontowndorchester.org.

PICTURE: Members of Transition Town Dorchester surrounded by the land earmarked for the community farm

DORCHESTER: Community farm for Poundbury

DORCHESTER: Community farm for Poundbury

Comments

Add new comment