We're huge fans of community growing initiatives, locally-driven organisations that enable the people in the surrounding area to come together to use spare land to produce their own food, so when we heard about Transition Edinburgh South and their work with Gracemount Community Garden we were delighted to be able to help them with our monthly donation. They were kind enough to answer our questions below so that we could all find out a bit more about what they do and what they want to achieve.
1. Tell us how Transition Edinburgh South & Gracemount Community Garden started
Transition Edinburgh South (TES) was created by Pat Abel in 2010 as project to help people ease through the transition from a fossil fuel rich economy to a fossil fuel poor economy. That process could be painful for many people but with the right kind of interventions and education - helping people to think about making their own local economies more robust - this transition could be a source of joy and opportunity. Formed at a time when many transition town movements were starting up after the term was created and shared by Rob Hopkins. TES is one of the most active transition groups in Scotland.
2. Can you tell us a little more about what will be done with the food donation provided by Greencity
TES is based in Gracemount in Edinburgh. It's an area with a strong identity and a strong sense of community. Many people in the area survive on lower incomes so we do what we can to create events and occasions for people to come together - usually with a bit of a message about citizenship, local economy, local food and saving energy. This donation from Greencity would be used to compliment the food we grow with our volunteers and shared at our youth groups and community meals. We often feed well over 100 people in any week.
3. What other interesting things are going on at TES?
We are working towards renovating Gracemount Stables to create a local, community run social hub and cafe. We are also working toward opening a market garden next to The Royal Infirmary. In our regular sessions we host volunteer work days, school groups, after school youth groups, a queer gardening group community meals, regular community events (with partners from Gracemount Mansion Development Trust and the Scran Academy). We are developing community gardening spaces at Valley Park Community Centre and Gracemount Medical Practice. All this with a core team of 5 part time staff!
4. Tell us a bit more about any other things you do to support the people in Edinburgh South
As well as the activities described above we are supporting local schools to develop their own community gardens.
5. Is there anything members of the public can do to help support your organization
Come and help! Join in and experience the joyful activities we host; get stuck into our gardening activities as a volunteer, come and enjoy a community lunch, help with our development projects, if you're an artist or musician come and create something beautiful at one of our events or in the garden. Come and play, share our story, help us with admin and book-keeping, just come to the garden to sit and enjoy nature. We're very inclusive and open to everyone so bring your thing.
6. If you could invite 6 people, living or dead, to one of your community meals, who would you invite and why
Rachel Carson - because she's a massive inspiration and she could tell us all great stories.
Joni Mitchell - for the tunes and the bants.
Rob Hopkins - for starting the transition town movement.
Ram Dass - for vibes.
Billy Connoly - to make sure we're not taking everything too seriously
Bob Marley - for a kickabout
