COMMUNITY GARDENS OR CAR PARKS?

What do we need most in the centre of our town?
In the light of climate and impending fuel crises, and the famous lack of gardens in Hebden Bridge, it would perhaps make a lot of sense to give more land over to the development of community gardens rather than car parks.
Could the “car parking crisis” be tackled in more imaginative ways?

In May we organised a Secret Garden Party in the disused fire station yard and created a community garden. For 6 or 7 weeks the beds really bloomed; seedlings grew, veg appeared, flowers flowered, bees buzzed and butterflies fluttered.

When the demolition company arrived in July, all the plants were moved, or potted up and put on the wall for others to take away. For a week or so, most days saw a collection of different people potting up plants, harvesting edible produce and bagging up soil.
We let people know that the big planters could be taken and used elsewhere. It would be interesting to see where the planters went to. Send photos if you want and we will put them up.

We would love to hear about any other community gardens, guerrilla gardens, ideas for vacant pieces of land, however large or small, in this area. We hope the secret garden at the old fire station is part of a bigger movement to use more land for food growing and to open up more disused spaces for public access.
e-mail us at info@hebdenbridgetransitiontown.org.uk

carpark