JANUARY 2018

AGRICULTURE
Farmers’ co-op brings
the latest superberry
to Scotland
A farming co-op has been formed to bring
a new crop to Scotland, the honeyberry
– which has commercial potential as a
health food and as a fruit wine.
The Scottish Honeyberries co-op,
based in Invergowrie, near Dundee, was
formed in July to develop cultivation
methods and spread knowledge
of the crop.
It is hoped the venture – created with
the help of local food and drink marketing
advisory service Connect Local – will
help make Scotland a world leader in the
production of the berry.
Chairman Stewart Arbuckle, who
brought the plants from Canada and
has created an orchard at Invergowrie,
says the co-op currently includes four
farms, each cultivating between five and
10 acres. He hopes this will increase to
nine farms by the end of the year. “We
have to start small,” he said. “It’s a
question of finding out which varieties are
best for Scottish soil and what is the best
way to grow them.”
The plan is to sell the plants to
other farmers as well as marketing the
berries themselves – which makes the
organisation a knowledge co-operative as
well as a farming co-op, says Mr Arbuckle.
The intention is “to show off our growing
ideas and methods, create a brand, keep a
value of that brand within the co-op”, he
added. “We’re trying to build that knowledge.
Everyone has something to contribute.”
Honeyberries Co-operative is looking at
the health market to take advantage of the
crop’s reputation as superberry – it is high
in vitamin C and antioxidants – and has
developed a frozen smoothie bag.
As well as being suited to Scotland’s soil
and climate, the berry has brix and tannin
levels that make it ideal for winemaking.
“We can’t grow grapes in Scotland,”
said Mr Arbuckle, “so here’s an option for
making Scottish wine.”
ECONOMY
Concern for city’s alternative culture as wood co-op loses its home
An acclaimed wood recycling co-op is
looking for a new base after its tenancy
was terminated by Bristol City Council.
Bristol Wood Recycling Project has been
a mainstay of the city’s alternative scene
for 14 years, and has been praised for
creating jobs, supporting volunteers and
reducing environmental impact.
The council granted the co-op
“meanwhile use” on the land, next to
Temple Meads train station, when it
formed in 2004 but now it wants to sell the
site for development.
Bristol City Council is selling the land
to the University of Bristol to help fill a
hole in its budget after cuts to central
government funding for local authorities.
The co-op is a sustainable business that
reclaims disused wood and turns it into
products including firewood to furniture.
It now has nine paid employees and has
saved more than 4,000 tonnes of wood
from landfill over its lifetime.
It success has promoted apex body
Co-operatives UK to make a film highlight
Bristol Wood Recycling as an example
of how co-ops can make a
difference.
The council is working with
the co-op to identify suitable
site but staff and volunteers
at Bristol Wood Recycling fear
the move could threaten the
alternative identity of the city.
Workshop manager Kaleb
Debbage said: “Social
enterprises like ours add a
valuable layer of social and
environmental resilience to
our communities, a kind of
biodiversity.
“If we continue squeezing them out
of central public spaces we can expect
all kinds of hidden costs as inclusive
support networks and developing circular
economies are marginalised.”
Ed Mayo, secretary general of
Co-operatives UK, said: “Bristol Wood
Recycling is a shining example of how
co-ops can make a difference to local
areas. It has created jobs, has had a huge
environmental impact and crucially it has
p Co-op member Callum Burns at work on the site
helped hundreds of volunteers gain skills,
confidence and support.
“We want to see co-ops like this
springing up everywhere. It’s a shame that
just as we’re calling for more people-led
recycling businesses like this, the model
that inspired us is under threat.”
The business continues to operate as
usual, six days a week, collecting wood
waste, selling reclaimed timber, making
bespoke furniture and hosting volunteers
at Cattle Market Road.
10 | JANUARY 2018