Our residents at Grove Village, Manchester and Ryfields Retirement Village, Warrington have been getting green fingered ready for National Allotments Week.
Grove Village residents in Manchester started growing their own fruit and vegetables back in 2019, Community Investment Officer Jane Hawthorne came up with the name ’Grove Your Own’ for the project.
The area used for growing vegetables and fruit was once a real problem for antisocial behaviour however now it has been transformed into a bright green space with regular growing produce such as thyme, potatoes, strawberries and more.
Residents at Ryfields Retirement Village have also been busy growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, garlic, and courgettes to name a few.
Jeffrey, who only moved into the retirement living village in Warrington this January, loves the vegetable patch and says, "Growing different foods keeps me busy. My dog, Ziggy loves the greenhouse too and is often found under the benches fast asleep."
Dot, who's lived there 18 years, works with Jeffrey, in memory of her late husband, Merv, telling us, "We have cabbages, herbs, rhubarb, onions, shallots, beetroot, and potatoes and I persevere because I know Merv would be looking down saying “why haven’t you planted anything?” if I didn't! I’m sure Merv would be very proud, and it keeps me out of mischief!"
The residents and local community of both villages receive the produce they grow at their vegetable patch, benefiting their mental health and physical well-being.