Connecting with Nature at the Hollington Oak
June is the Month of Community, and the Eden Project eco-charity has been working with the people of Hollington to grow community spirit – quite literally.
Community gardens and growing spaces are being developed in a small way all over Hollington and Ore, including Woody Wood, the Community Orchard, the Men’s Shed, outside the Sunflower café in Ore and the courtyard garden at Ore Library. And now the field next to the Hollington Oak pub.
The pub was unable to use the empty field next to the beer garden and so landlady Jackie had the idea of gifting it to the local community; brewery Greene King were interested in her suggestion. HVA became involved via the East Sussex County Council (ESCC) Making it Happen project and managed to connect them with the Eden Project Communities outreach for East Sussex. Now they have started to turn the land into a community garden and hub in collaboration with several local community groups.
Eden Project Communities hosted Hollington’s Big Lunch celebration there on 1 and 2 June. Then, during The Great Big Green Week (8-16 June), residents and community groups came together again to create a new green space. On 11 June there was a launch event, facilitated by local hero James Robinson, founder of homelessness charity Surviving the Streets, and volunteers from the Woody Wood Project.
The event featured some hands-on eco activities: the Hastings Compost Community team demonstrated how their compost bins work and installed one of their wooden box composters – they now have six community hubs in and around Hastings. There was also sunflower seed planting in newspaper pots made from old copies of HIP with Mary from Church Wood Community Orchard, as well as a talk and planting workshop by Vicky Cooke of Town Grown.
Lucy Abbott, Community Network Developer at Eden Project Communities, says: “We couldn’t be more excited to bring our passion for community connection to Hastings, with the creation of this very special new green space. With some wonderful projects already in place, we hope more local people will be inspired to chat to their neighbours, volunteer where they live or embark on their own community activity as part of the Month of Community. Whether you fancy some fundraising, you’re looking for new volunteers or you just want to raise awareness about a cause you care about, we hope all our guests leave feeling motivated to make a difference in their neighbourhood!”
Plans for the garden will depend on the wishes of the local community, but Lucy says they are hoping to have a sensory garden with seating and varied scents and textures. James is hoping to link the garden to the Woody Wood Project and the Community Orchard to create a ‘green corridor’ – “one big nature project … one big community operation so more groups can get involved”. With his motivation and enthusiasm, and participation from so many local groups, the future looks bright green.
The Month of Community in June is all about celebrating local connections. In addition to those already mentioned at the event were representatives from HVA/Making it happen, Sussex Community Development Association, Explore the Arch, Women’s Voice and local Green councillor, Jo Walker.
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