Press release: ‘The Mound Gardeners served papers for ‘Claim for Possession Order’ by Summerbrook Ltd – Gardening continues’
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The Mound Community Garden in central Brighton has been served papers for a ‘claim for possession order’ by Summerbrook Limited, a subsidiary of Hargreaves. Amid this current challenge, the gardening continues with the ongoing support of the local community with another big open day this Sunday (20th March 2011) and many intend to attend court at 10am on Wednesday 23rd March 2011 to appeal for reason from Summerbrook/Hargreaves.
The garden is coming along with 10 prepared planting beds with garlic, lettuce, herbs, and lots of seedlings, a community compost site and wormery, a rainwater reservoir and a wildlife area. The gardeners aim to make the most of a sunny weekend to continue beautifying and developing this space for the local community. Visitors to the Mound’s open day last Sunday have been overwhelmingly positive in their support:
“We live a few streets away, and have a tiny yard – my son has no real chance to learn how food gets from the ground to our table. This is a chance for him to get his hands dirty, grow things for himself, and it’s wonderful to see the land transformed from an overgrown junkyard, and feel the enthusiasm!”
“As a local resident I am really happy that something positive and green is happening in my area. My little girl loved the seed bomb workshop, while I was chatting with the gardeners. Both me and my little girl will be there again to learn more on Sunday and we also want to show our support for them by being at the courthouse on Wednesday.”
Text messages of support have also been coming in; as one mother said, “Thank you so much for teaching me and my little one about seed bombs, I’m now off to plant my wild flowers around the city. Looking forward to learning more next Sunday”
The land has been left derelict for 14 years and there are no immediate plans to build on it. The gardeners have proposed dialogue and attempted to formalise their relationship with the managing agents through a Meanwhile Lease (see: http://tinyurl.com/6c7zfqo and other communiques from the gardeners).
The claimants, Summerbrook, have not made to response to calls for dialogue with the gardeners, who have been regenerating the derelict site in central Brighton since January. The project has had the explicit support of local residents, the local residents association, local councilors and the local Police Community Support Officer. Local councillor Lizzie Deane recently appealed to the company to open up dialogue (see: http://tinyurl.com/5v9p4q8).
End of press release
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