Celebrating fruit and veg grown by and for the community
Why community growing?
Community growing spaces are at the core of more resilient, healthy and joyful communities – not only do they directly improve access to good, whole, locally grown food for volunteers, some are also donating produce to other food support organisations, such as the foodbank and community fridges. They are inclusive spaces where residents can enjoy being out in nature, spend time with their community and experience the joy of getting their hands in the earth and growing nourishing food. Community gardens help develop local food resilience, providing produce directly from plot to plate. By building growing skills and confidence, garden communities are key mental health supports. On top of all this, with their support of biodiversity, low food miles and carbon capture, the planet breathes a little easier with every crop grown – what’s not to love?
Volunteer power at Rooted Community Food
“It is about working towards re-imagining our food systems, to make them more sustainable and resilient, and giving people an alternative to supermarkets. A shared purpose is what makes it so successful. Everybody is very different and each person has their individual reason for coming but we are all working towards the same goal which creates a wonderful sense of community.”
Sally, Rooted coordinator and EFP steering group member
Community growing projects in Eastbourne
Eastbourne and the surrounding area is home to a network of wonderfully diverse food growing projects. From the wild, unique and fascinating Pevensey & Westham Community Forest Garden (open to volunteers, and for tours by appointment, see below) to the all-embracing community allotments of the Gather and Rooted projects. Eastbourne’s community centres are also encouraging people to get their hands in the soil, with Grow Eastbourne’s community garden in Langney, and the community Gardening Club at Willingdon Trees Community Centre creating their own growing communities. With shoots springing up in schools, parks and roadsides, there are many ways for residents to connect with the benefits of growing out in the community.
Gather Community Garden
Churchdale allotments, see exact location here
Gather is an intergenerational community of people who enjoy gardening, growing vegetables and caring for the natural world. Their 7 plot allotments hosts activities six days a week, including: extensive vegetable and fruit plots; child-friendly urban farm (with special mention for Bilbo the rabbit); bee-keeping; a restful Quiet Garden; Friday pop-up café…. and much more!
The garden is open most weekdays from 9.30 until midday. Other activities may be available at other times – see website for information.
Get involved:
There are activities at the Community Garden from Monday – Saturday. The Gather team suggest that you visit for the following activities and discover what you would like to engage with. These can all be booked via the links in the list below.
- Have a guided tour – takes about 20 minutes
- If you like what you see attend a taster morning (1-2 hours)
- You could then become a volunteer – in a regular slot or whenever you can.
Get in touch: by email at team@gathercommunitygarden.comor by phone at 07869 706620
Instagram:@ gathercommunitygarden Facebook: gathercommunitygarden
Rooted Community Food
Volunteer-centred food growing project in Eastbourne, providing produce for community fridge projects. The community aspect is as important as the gardening, with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds coming together to sow seeds, nurture plants and harvest. The project is volunteer-led, with the choice to be as involved as you wish, dropping in when convenient with the option to join monthly ‘cook-ups’ to chat about progress. Rooted is sited within the Gorringe Road allotment site, Eastbourne BN22 8XL.
Please contact Sally rootedcommunityfood@gmail.com for more information.
Grow Eastbourne
The Grow Eastbourne community project is part of the Volunteers Network. It has been created to encourage local food growing and to support local food networks, engaging the local community with a fun and informative, hands-on approach.
Grow Eastbourne mission:
- Create a new community garden in Etchingham Road, Langney
- Encourage food growing across Eastbourne
- Promote local food production and producers
- Become a local hub for seed, plant, knowledge and skill sharing
The Grow Eastbourne site in Etchingham Road, Langney is a community garden under development. The area has been excavated by Eastbourne Heritage; amongst other discoveries, medieval pottery and a medieval well were found. The ground has shown to have been farmed for many hundreds of years. There is a monthly garden club held at the Langney Community Centre, where all are welcome to be part of the planning and development process.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @groweastbourne
Please contact groweastbourne@volunteersnetwork.co.uk
Willingdon Trees Community Garden
Willingdon Trees Community Centre, 101 Holly Place.
Help create a beautiful growing space in our community garden as well as improving your overall wellbeing through fresh air, light exercise and the good feeling from volunteering. It’s also a healthy and engaging activity to do with the kids. Most importantly, enjoy watching your own food and flowers grow!
Gardeners Social on Wednesdays 1-3pm, or other times available.
Toddlers allotment Mondays 10am-11.30.
Please contact Lisa, Hannah or Chelsea on 01323 504438 / eastbourne@sussexcommunity.org.uk for details.
Pevensey and Western Forest Garden
Nestled near Pevensey Castle, the magical community forest garden embodies the principles of sustainable forest gardening, with food grown in harmony with nature and with minimal human input. The project is about local people growing food in a sustainable way that encourages wildlife to flourish too. The site features beehives, a herb garden, wildlife pond and a range of fruit and nut trees, and supports abundant flora and fauna. Volunteer work sessions, weather permitting, Tuesday and Thursday mornings each week and 4th Saturday morning of each month. Tours of the site can also be arranged by appointment. To volunteer or visit, please contact Andy on pawforestgarden@gmail.com / 01323 460338 or 07402 321382
Gather volunteers enjoy a meal cooked and grown onsite
Rooted volunteers making the most of the sunny weather to get some tasks done
PAW Forest Garden coordinator admiring one of their fruit trees
Are we missing something?
Developing a new project, or want to?
Get in touch here
community growing events in eastbourne
Local media spread the word about Good to Grow weekend
Eastbourne Food Partnership coordinator, Nancy Wilson, featured on Mark Carter's BBC Radio Sussex show last Saturday 15th April. You can catch up with the discussion by clicking here and listening from 2hr44. We've also been published on Sussex World, in a special...
Good to Grow day comes to Eastbourne, 21st – 25th April 2023
From the 21st to 25th April, five community gardens across Eastbourne will be welcoming volunteers and visitors, new and old, to join in their local edible garden community as part of national Good to Grow Day celebrations. From live music and crafts to garden tours,...
Seedy Stall at the Towner Gallery, 18th & 19th March
Eastbourne Food Partnership are delighted to partner with Towner Eastbourne to celebrate the new season at the Towner Spring Fair. Saturday 18th & 19th March, 10am-5pm at the Towner Gallery Our "Seedy Stall" be hosting community growing projects Rooted and Gather,...
Plant Futures Event: 23rd and 24th February
Eastbourne Food Partnership are delighted to be welcoming Made In Hackney to Eastbourne for their Plant Futures Event, hosted at Victoria Baptist Church, Eldon Road, Eastbourne. Sign up here for a FREE workshop for catering professionals, chefs and community kitchens...