Just started a new blog aimed at helping people grow organic fruit and veg. It’s called:

Questioners Garden Time and here’s the URL:

http://www.questionersgardentime.blogspot.com

Enjoy.

Last weekend, loads of them had been in Manchester with 180 people from across the country to discuss where next for the ‘climate camp movement’. It was the loveliest weekend of the year and yet they travelled for hours and sat all weekend indoors to plan together. Dedication personified.

Reason for writing now is to say how much enthusiasm there is in Climate Camp for standing up for the positive, as well as taking direct action against what we don’t want to see built. That can get lost in the focus on Kingsnorth but is very much on the agenda.

Last night in the bar, we reflected how interesting it is to consider what we mean by Direct Action. Its become associated with meaning a scarf over your face and a wrench in your hand, stopping something. Its easy to forget it also means standing up proudly with a smile on your face a spade in your hand and starting a food growing project …or starting a TT!

I’m newly exploring Climate camp and am v impressed by what I’ve seen. Lots of synergy and opportunities for cross fertilisation with TTN. Would encourage anyone to make contact with their local ‘neighbourhood’ via climate camp website if they havent already. Not all as busy as London, but there is something across the country: http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

In East Finchley, London a wonderful 2.2 acre site containing 4 large greenhouses, outside growing space and numerous useful outbuildings has been on the market for £3m+. It would have made a terrific eco-centre, but £3m doesn’t grow on trees – even nutty ones!

However I’d heard recently an application had been made to purchase the site for a polyclinic, and that is where Rob’s comments chimed with me.

I checked back with the planning application and found that it had just been granted. Being Metropolitan Open Land the permission was granted with the proviso that a ‘garden’ is installed.

I’m left trying to decide whether to just accept that the owners have probably never heard of sustainable communities, nor have any interest in them, and will just put down some turf and a few rose bushes or whether to try to find and engage with them.

Alternatively, I can focus on our last remaining piece of semi-open greenspace, most of which Barnet Council is trying to sell off for housing, but are prepared to countenace a community project on part of it.

My energy levels for fighting battles have somewhat depleted with the passing years but it is inspirational to see that energy in succeeding generations in people like Rob and Duncan and the Wise and WEN women – and last night Roberto Perez. Carry on dragging us ‘up the garden path’!

BTW, you should check out SPIN farming too:
http://www.spinfarming.com/

Smiles,

Josef.

Just wondering if you (or any of your great readers) know of any organisations like Growing Communities or Food Up Front that are working in Manchester or the North West?

Keep up the good work!