one year on... - Islington Council

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““One late summer evening I needed to do some work at the Community Centre office. Onthe way there I passed a group of about 5-6 hoodie-type youths, mixed racial backgrounds,aged 17-20ish smoking and mumbling among themselves. As I don’t have ‘victim’ mentalityI did not feel threatened but could see that some would. On leaving the office 20 minuteslater, the same group was huddled at the vegetable plot gates pushing on the chain and thegate. I went up to them and asked if they’d like to know what we’re doing in there - theywere silent, transfixed probably by my different reaction to them. Without waiting for ananswer I told them about the growing scheme and invited them to join us, pointing to theposter i’d stuck to the railing. They mumbled ‘yeah, ‘great, thanks’ still in shock. About aweek later, <strong>one</strong> of them came over just as we were locking up. He said he’d told his mumabout the organic veg we’re growing and she’d sent him back to ask if they could buy someand how much it was. I explained there was no cost - they were welcome to come and helpand the harvest is shared between all. He had trouble taking it in, but eventually got it andleft smiling with a spring in his step. Those lads have never been seen hanging around thatarea since.On another occasion I’d seen this 10 <strong>year</strong> old boy with a small gang a few times, once on topof a bin shed throwing things and being generally naughty. I’d also been told the gang had lita fire on a bin shed. .Once when we were in the veg plot, including other children, still settingit up, I saw him hovering by the fence outside. I went over to him, invited him in. He came. Itold him what we were doing and that we’d like some help if he could stay. He immediatelyasked what he could do and did all we asked. When d<strong>one</strong>, he came and asked if there wasanything else he could do. He came back next time and helped installing the large water butt.The gang has not been reported being ‘naughty’ since then.Jan, resident, Girdlest<strong>one</strong> EstateGirdlest<strong>one</strong> Gardening Club won first place for the ‘Best Community Plot’ at the IslingtonHorticultural Show in 2010.For further information contact: janet.m@btinternet.com””18
Engaging young peopleA large number of food growing sites were set up in schools, children’s centres andnurseries and well over 2,000 young people were engaged in food growing through EdibleIslington projects. The enthusiasm of the young people participating in the projects hasbeen unparalleled.An Edible Playground, Rotherfield Primary SchoolIn partnership with Edible Islingtonand Tree for Cities, Rotherfield PrimarySchool has successfully transformedthe school’s playground from an areaof almost exclusive hard surface toa space with raised vegetable beds,trees, an outdoor classroom, herbs,fruiting shrubs, a wildflower meadow,a vegetable garden and naturalplay elements. Over 370 childrenwere involved in creating this EdiblePlayground and now use it to learnabout, grow and nurture their own food.“This project has been atremendous success and <strong>one</strong> thatboth Trees for Cities and RotherfieldPrimary School are extremely proudof”. “The project has provided theschool with a new initiative foroutdoor teaching which will influenceand enhance the educationof children at the school helpingto alleviate social hardship anddeprivation which is common inthe area.Pricilla, Grants Coordinator,Trees for Cities”For further information contact: PriscillaCorbett@treesforcities.org19
Page 1 and 2: www.islington.gov.uk/edibleislingto
Page 3 and 4: Those who received grants were allo
Page 5 and 6: What did Edible Islingtonset out to
Page 7 and 8: Ringcross Community CentreRingcross
Page 9 and 10: City University LondonThe staff and
Page 11: Residents had enjoyed a fine harves
Page 14 and 15: Food growing for older people, Cope
Page 16 and 17: Reducing anti-social behaviourResid
Page 20 and 21: The Garden Classroom’s Edible Isl
Page 22 and 23: Further Support forEdible Islington
Page 24 and 25: Appendix 1:A list of Edible Islingt

one year on... - Islington Council

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