The idea
Shieldfield is a central neighbourhood of Newcastle, and after some mapping of the empty spaces in the neighbourhood with artist Mikey Tomkins the residents were curious to try a novel and exciting way to engage with their local environment through food growing. In collaboration with SAW they plan to grow wheat in the city and then bake the bread to share at an urban harvest event in September 2020! They have limited space but feel that the project will help create tidy streets and a sense of community as the wheat will be planted in small areas around the neighbourhood and then communally harvested, baked in the local community bakery and served to all participants and supporters.
What we'll deliver
- The project will help revitalise the unused flower beds and public spaces in Newcastle
- The project will create a sense of community through public urban gardening
- The will help support a local community bakery to provide affordable bread
Why it's a great idea
Local residents lack space to garden and feel that the multiple small flower beds around the neighbourhood could provide them with a space to grow food and flowers. They feel passionate about spending more time out of their flats and houses together creating links between the disparate community.
This is where you come in. As a supporter of our project you can choose from five options:
1: You can just donate, any amount will help.
2: You can donate £50 and attend the bread-making workshop to bake*
3: You can donate £40 and be invited to the harvest meal in September 2020*
4: You can purchase a limited edition map of Shieldfield for £10, drawn by visiting artist Mikey Tomkins.
5: For £5 you can have your name on a plant label in a flower bed as a show of appreciation.
We are hoping that the success of the project will help other communities to develop similar projects and turn disused urban space into local community food.
*limited spaces available, contact to check
Steps to get it done
- 13-15 March: preparing flower beds and planting wheat
- Weekly watering
- Harvesting in late August
- Milling and baking in late September 2020
- Community meal in October 2020
The project is coordinated by Shieldfield Art Works (or ‘SAW’) an arts organisation based in Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne as well as artist Mikey Tomkins, who has been working with the community since 2018 on developing the potential to grow food in the neighbourhood.
