Ashtree Cottage Garden
Ashtree Cottage Garden has been established along organic principles to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to visitors and local sales outlets. Holton Lee aims to be as self sufficient as possible, recycling and sustainably using as many of our own resources as is practicable.
In December 2009 Holton Lee was awarded an £81,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund under their Local Food programme. This will fund the garden staff as well as other running costs such as tools, compost and seeds until December 2012. As the project progresses we are increasing the area under cultivation to a hectare, three times its original size.
We are focusing on high value crops e.g. asparagus beds, heritage vegetables, and increased fruit production. Surplus produce is used to make jams and chutneys. We also want to extend our growing season and protected working space and have been given a commercial scale greenhouse to add to the polytunnels already in use.
Growing in size means we want to attract more volunteers and have already increased the numbers coming in each week – more hands are always needed so do get in touch if you would like to help us. We have also let 12 allotment plots to local people encouraging more people to ‘Grow their own’.
Growing Futures at Holton Lee
As part of our Ashtree Cottage Garden Project, our horticultural therapy programme, Growing Futures, has now been launched, providing opportunities for disabled adults to get involved in organic gardening production, maintenance, seasonal conservation and associated crafts.
If you would like to find out more about Growing Futures or to join the programme, please contact Anna Sowter e mail asowter@holtonlee.co.uk
Christmas Craft Fair for Holton Lee, 10th December 2011
On Saturday 10th December, Holton Lee will be holding a Christmas Craft Fair in nearby Wareham to raise funds for the charity. It will be the ideal time for people to buy interesting and original gifts for friends and family.
If you are a locally based artist or craftperson and would be interested in having a table at the fair, we'd love to hear from you!
If you would like to find out more about booking a table, please contact Christine Sansom on email admin@holtonlee.co.uk
