The last two years have of course been incredibly challenging for people across the UK and around the world. However, one thing that seems to have captured our imaginations during this time of crisis has been growing food. There are many ways in which people can grow their own produce, whether that be by growing small pots of herbs on window sills or balcony or through access to a local allotment. The National Allotments Society has reported a 45% increase in allotment applications throughout 2020 across the UK. In London, there has also been a resurgence in food growing , withl businesses such as Pot Gang delivering vegetable growing seeds, compost and pots to your door. There has also been a growing movement of greening disused spaces across our capital. One organisation at the forefront of this movement is Energy Garden London who works with volunteers to create gardens and food growing spaces within London’s overground stations. They aim to empower communities, raise awareness of environmental issues and to improve air quality by greening London’s overground stations. 

 

Community Food growing projects have sprung up across London, notably projects such as GROW in Barnet, The Calthorpe Project near Kings Cross and Gaia’s Garden in East London. Hillingdon also boasts an array of community growing projects, including Eastcote House Gardens. Eastcote House Gardens, located in the North of Hillingdon, contains a walled garden, wild flower meadow and a jubilee orchard. The gardens are maintained mainly by volunteers and are open to the public every day. You can find their facebook page here.  This once disused house has now become a thriving community hub for green fingered locals and an educational space for all. You can also find the Community archive which specialises in the local history of the area. 

 

There is also a growing number of allocated allotment areas across Hillingdon including sites such as ‘Wood End Green’, ‘ Hill End’ and ‘Moor Lane’. To get growing and find your nearest allotment check out the Hillingdon allotment map here.  In the coming months, I hope to explore some of Hillingdon’s allotment communities and understand what urban food growing means to them

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If you’re based in Hillingdon and want to get involved with the Hillingdon Food Stories project then please contact hillingdonfoodstories@gmail.com.