Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum

Acocks Green is celebrating the nationwide launch of Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom 2013 in its newly created orchard in Mallard Close, slap bang in the middle of two blocks of shops, on Saturday 13th April starting at 10 am – come along to find out more.

Many local people have already been involved by planting fruit trees including apple, plum and damson and a ‘jam hedge’ but volunteers shall be adding to this by sowing seeds provided by the RHS to produce an array of herbs including thyme, chives and rosemary which everyone can pick and eat in future.

Blooming Flowers encouraging bees, planted in Acocks Green 2012

Fran Lee the co-ordinator of Acocks Green Village in Bloom says that this project has been very popular with locals creating an edible oasis on what used to be a derelict piece of land full of rubble, sweet wrappers and car parts!

Stephanie Eynon, RHS Community Horticulture Manager, said

Britain in Bloom isn’t just about pretty hanging baskets brightening up gloomy streets, it’s about improving the environment, enhancing lives and bringing communities together through gardening. Edible Britain’ will see new public herb and vegetable gardens planted across the UK, bringing access to tasty produce to thousands.

Each year more than 200,000 people devote almost 4.4 million hours to enhancing their community through Britain in Bloom, saving the country thousands of pounds.  On average groups plant 115,000 trees, 352,000 shrubs and 21.6 million plants and bulbs each year.

Anybody can set up or join their nearest group by typing in their postcode into an online map found at www.rhs.org.uk/getinvolved For more information regarding Acocks Green Village in Bloom, please contact Fran Lee at Acocks Green Village in Bloom on 0121 706 0076/e.mail: fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk . New volunteers are always welcome.