From concrete to caring – 30×30 & Friends grow spaces for people & nature

After many years, an area designated as a “community space” which consisted of an area of tarmac and 4 disparate benches placed far away from each other, members of the community of Dartington came together to take the first steps to begin to transform this lonely space into something better for people and nature.

Following on from a community consultation held back in the Autumn last year, planters for pollinators, edible growing spaces and a place for markets came out in the top 3 choices. Last week 8 planters were built by volunteers with the help and skill of Paul from Incredible Edible and families and individuals came down to fill them with compost and a mix of edible and pollinator plants. A pollinator flower bed was also created by the Parish Council to encourage and support biodiversity as part of the ’30 x 30′ Project.

We were so impressed and grateful for the kind donations and enthusiasm of local businesses, the Dartington Parish Council and Transition Town Totnes who helped generate the funds as well as local growing businesses and residents who donated some of the plants. The site will be cared for by local residents as well as Blooms Renewables at Webbers Yard. It is hoped that more people will lead the charge in reclaiming this area to make it a thriving community space for residents and wildlife to visit and enjoy. There is so much more potential for this site if the will of the people demand it.

With a biodiversity and climate crisis looming over us and pollution from an every increasing busy and noisy road nearby, seeing more plants and trees and improvements in our green spaces is more important than ever for our health and well being. I encourage anyone to look around their local area and see how you can reach out and connect with others to support nature and places for people to enjoy and thrive.

Big thanks and mention must be given to those who made it possible: Paul (Transition Town Totnes/ 30×30), Bloom Renewables, Mokki, Pipi and Me, Wellington Pets, Fishtek, South Milton Nursery, Wyse Worts and Radical Plant Folk, The Mother Tree and all the families and residents who came out to lend a hand!

If you’d like to find out more about supporting nature recovery efforts, please reach out to Paul via paul@transitiontowntotnes.org