Permaculture Manchester . . . lets put some green on the urban scene

Location

The Lost Plot is a permaculture allotment plot next to Southern Cemetry in Chorlton. The project was started by Action For Sustainable Living during the winter 2005. A two day Introduction to Permaculture course was run, facilitated by local teachers, Rob Squires and Julia Frankel. The workshops were held in a yurt which was hired from a local business called the Yurt Experience, with straw bales used as seating, and a calor gas heater and blankets for warmth. Around 14 participants attended the two wintery days and learned the basics of permaculture design, created a design for the site, and laid down some basic infrastructure, such as footpaths and raised beds.

The design in the picture above was drawn by Helen Starr-Keddle, and was produced as a result of the practical design project work that took place during the wintery workshops. The design forms the basis of the allotment project today.

Having created the design for the plot, participants worked hard on the second day to install some basic infrastructure, such as raised beds, and footpaths. Woodchip was placed over recycled card (obtained from Unicorn) to mulch and demarcate the footpaths. The picture to the left shows participants on the course working hard to create these.

Since the first weekend, people from the existing workshop, and newcomers, have continued to go to the plot, and have worked hard, planting fruit and veg, building structures, a large herb spiral, and generally having a good time. The picture bottom right is looking east along the plot, with the herb spiral in the forground, and shows how much the project has progressed in the short time since it was established.

The community allotment project is going strong, and if you would like any more information on it visit the Action For Sustainable Living web site.