Garden party encourages healthy living

Q Gardens, Queensway

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A garden party was held in Q Gardens, Kirkholt this afternoon (Friday 23 August) to promote healthy living and to promote the community work that the gardens does.

Q Gardens is a community garden project that encourages residents in the area to grow their own food and plants. Chris Woodruff, coordinator of the event said: “This is all about encouraging residents to get involved with growing.”

Today’s garden party involved activities for children, including face painting, which was centred on vegetables and insects, a craft table where children could make scarecrows and bug beds, free health checks from a health visitor, free swim passes from Link4Life and food made on site from produce grown in the gardens. “The activities are centred on the children so they can all take something home with them at the end” added Chris.

The garden now houses an on site kitchen and food for the party was prepared on site by Andre and Lisa, two residents who regularly attend the gardens on a Wednesday. Food included freshly made pizza, rice and samosas.

Q Gardens works with Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale to help residents grow their own produce. Chris said: “People from Groundwork come every Wednesday between 11am and 7pm and can train residents in growing. We have everything from potatoes to peppers and the strawberries are just finishing.”

“It can be hard getting people interested but once they see what can be done, it’s great” added Chris.