Growers at Common Flora, a new community horticultural social enterprise, are digging their heels in after their newly built barn was vandalized on Christmas Day. They are still planning for 2021 to get off to a good start with young people with additional needs from local charity Lifeworks set to benefit.
‘We have been planning this social business for too long for a random act if stupidity to kick the apple cart at this stage’ says Jane, one of 3 local growers. ‘Messages of support and kindness have been pouring in. We are all really touched by the response we have had to this incident’.
Over 2, 500 trees have been planted on a 2 ha site near Diptford, including a new orchard and a new hedge. The barn is to become a wheel chair accessible, community resource. Plans include growing specifically for the local Diptford based florist, along with making products with plants grown on site such as an organic fertilizer, products for herbalists and plants for pigments and dyes for artists. Local beekeepers have been invited to use the space. As commercial growing gets under way, space will also be offered to local people who need more growing space.
Sarah-Jane Lowton from Lifeworks said ‘We are so glad the Common Flora team are staying positive despite this setback. We are looking forward to using this new community growing space to give our young people the experience of growing plants and preparing them for markets. It is rare for young people with additional needs to get a glimpse into supply chains. Long term we are hoping there might be work placements and even job opportunities’
