| THE IDEA came to Jason Newton (above, in check shirt), an airline pilot, as he flew over his home parish of Bexhill, in Chichester diocese, and was struck by how much green space there was in the built-up areas around the town centre.
“In this age of food shortages and care for our environment, it seemed like an overlooked resource. If it is green, we could be eating it,” he said. “Individually, we may only have a very small garden, or even balcony, but by working together we literally have a farm, and can grow many of the vegetables and fruits that we would normally buy.”
It is the sort of idea that comes naturally to a member of “the hill”, the alternative worship group, led by the Curate, the Revd Daniel Smith (above, right) from St Peter’s, in Old Town, Bexhill. Last year they won a Church Times green award.
They considered how best to spend the £500 prize money, and eventually decided “to give the money away to the community in the form of seeds”.
And that is what they are doing: inviting as many people as possible in the parish and in schools to grow something and bring it to a harvest celebration meal at St Peter’s Community Centre in September. “Bring whatever you manage to grow — one carrot will be gladly received.”
Mr Newton is sure they will have plenty to eat, plus a great many experiences to share. He is not an experienced gardener himself, he says, but he and his family have turned their front garden into a community vegetable garden (above), and it is open to everyone on Saturday mornings, in the hope that they will come to help and to meet others. “I really hope others will bring their expertise to join my enthusiasm.”
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