OCTOBER 2002 UPDATE- PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LETSGROW PROJECTS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED AT THE PRESENT TIME DUE TO A LACK OF CO-ORDINATION. HOWEVER IF YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN REVITALISING ANY OF THESE PROJECTS PLEASE LET US KNOW
South East Essex LETS is a community building project concerned with creating alternatives to the ‘monoculture’ of the money system that are accessible to all. One area of concern is the availability of good quality food produced directly within the region. From this several projects are happening under the overall umbrella of LETS or within it’s orbit;
The LETS Allotment LETS members began cultivating a vacant allotment in Spring 98. This project arose from several people joining the local LETS system who were asking for organic produce, as well as The Happy Caterpillar, our local Organic/wholefood store approaching LETS and asking if members would be able to supply the shop with home grown veggies. Although some individual LETS members are growing veg in their gardens & allotments, there is not enough of a surplus being produced to meaningfully supply the demand. It’s also a good way for people who want to grow their own, but maybe havn’t got the time, inclination, knowledge or confidence to take on their own plot to gain experience/make a start. Garden Share Initiative One aim of LETSGROW is to match up those who have garden space that they can’t (or are not inclined to) look after to those who want space to garden. Participants simply send their ‘offers’ or ‘wants’ to a co-ordinator who compiles a ‘directory’ where these can be matched up for mutual benefit. For example, the frustrated self- sufficiency enthusiast living in an upstairs flat might find they are but a couple of streets away from somebody who has an overgrown wilderness they would love to see tidied up and utilised if only they had the time. Harvest Shares A seeds/cuttings/produce swopping initiative proposed by a SEELETS member.
Educational We have run several Permaculture Introductory Courses and Organic Gardening workshops in conjunction with South East Essex Permaculture and VOHAN (Vegan Organic Network), as well as a ‘Wild Food Walk’ this Spring. If you have other ideas for LETSGROW projects, or would like to get involved with the LETS Allotment or any of our other schemes, please get in touch...
