Earthworks

 Saucepans and frying pans decorated, make a wonderful noise when knocked.  

Last Saturday I was invited to the opening and annual sale at Earthworks, a place where people with learning disabilities (known as earthworkers) alongside volunteers help to manage three and a half acres of  beautiful eco gardens in St Albans. Forty five earthworkers are currently receiving informal training in horticulture, ecology, conservation, small-scale construction, woodwork and crafts. They grow vegetables using organic methods and build wildlife habitats using traditional techniques. They have an apple orchard with low growing trees that are easily picked (and absolutely full of different apples). 

Apple trees low enough to be picked. In the background you can just see the finish for  the small scale house which has to be trampled before being applied. 

Small house being restored with natural materials. 

Although it is only three and a half acres, the garden has been designed so that it seems much bigger.  To start with they leased a two acre site of waste ground from the District Council.  Over the years they have transformed waste land into a wonderful  garden with a focus on sustainability.

Introduction to the senses garden (from which the top picture comes as well)

Next door are allotments where they grow vegetables and fruit which they sell at St Albans market every two weeks. There is an eco building where they get together for lunch and meetings.

My two grandsons have been involved with Earthworks for some time now, one because he is severely disabled and goes along once a week to work on a particular section,  the other spends two days helping in the garden and to restore the small building from  re-usable materials.  

To find out more from their really wonderful website go to earthworksstalbans.co.uk where they have information on all aspects of Earthworks.