Farming out ideas for all (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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Farming out ideas for all
9:00pm Wednesday 4th April 2012 in Malmesbury
A FESTIVAL and an orchard are among ideas being investigated to expand a community farm project in Malmesbury.
Organisers at Aunt Addie’s Farm, which opens to schools and local groups for educational agricultural projects, are appealing for ideas on how to develop 20 acres of land for the community.
Among the ideas, which are still in their early stages, is an orchard of cider trees, which could be sponsored by families and local groups for a stake of the crop.
A Malmesbury area children’s garden festival has also been proposed, offering the potential for cooking demonstrations, competitions, crop planting, willow work, cake stalls and strawberries and cream stands.
Project manager Ros Holland said: “Nothing has been finalised yet, but this could be an opportunity for local schools to come here and see what we are about.
“There is an opportunity for everyone to be involved, not just the children. We have got long-term plans.
“It offers accessibility of the countryside and it lets people know we are doing lots of projects here.”
The area of land on Tetbury Road was bequeathed to Colin Branston, the nephew of the late Adeline Branston, who died in February 2008, aged 97.
He is now keen to invite members of the community, including various groups, such as schools, charities and nursing homes, to come forward with suggestions on ways to use the space.
Other notable suggestions include a large-scale community planting event, a family barbecue day each year and a community plot scheme, similar to a shared allotment.
Wiltshire and town councillor Simon Killane is a keen supporter of the project and hopes to see produce grown on the land there and sold in the town.
He said: “It’s brilliant.
“Colin has got 20 acres of land in total and he is asking us what do we want to do with it.
“The different ideas (such as the festival) are about trying to get local people engaged.
“It’s such an opportunity.”
If you have any suggestions for how the land can be cultivated for community use, visit http://www.aunt addiesfarm.co.uk/ or call (01451) 820612.
