A NEW initiative to promote the use of fresh produce and thriving in nature, is being introduced to benefit the local community.

The Community Garden and Greenhouse Project (CGG) is the brainchild of Stephen Keighley, and stems from what was known formerly as Brockley Farm — a sustainable farm located in the heart of the Tamar Valley at Lower Metherell, which has been producing fresh vegetables using organic methods since Stephen began the venture in April 2018.

The project has been given the go-ahead to become a Community Interest Company, so the CGG Project is being led by Stephen and Helen Strong, former owner of Green House cafe in Launceston and co-creator of the popular ‘Feel Good Festival’.

The project’s four main aims are to ‘sow, grow, nourish and nurture’. It is hoped by opening up the farm as a community site, it will promote the value of getting outside, growing organic, healthy food and connecting with nature.

In addition, Stephen has hopes that new community links and friendships will be formed through the project.

People will be able to attend activities, workshops and events at the farm, from sowing seeds in the greenhouse and polytunnels and tending the beds of plants and herbs, to feeding or collecting eggs from the CGG Project’s resident Indian Runner ducks — an important and much-appreciated addition to the site, as the ducks take care of the ever-growing slug population.

Stephen will continue to sell his fresh herbs, vegetables and veg boxes, which are produced using organic methods and seeds supplied from the likes of Tamar Organics, based at nearby Rezare.

Stephen spoke to the Post about his new venture.

He said: “Brockley Farm is now a Community Interest Company, called the Community Garden and Greenhouse Project.

“The main aims are to encourage nature, wellbeing, health, gardening, community values and education. The plan is, the land we have at the moment will now be a community site. There is lots of work going on to create an accessible space.”

The project will endeavour to make the site a safe, secure and accessible place for everyone. Stephen said: “We already have a number of willing volunteers, some retired, some schoolchildren and also young adults with learning difficulties. I want to give the community a chance to experience this, make it safe to everyone and make new community connections.”

This was one of the main sparks in the CGG Project’s fire, as Stephen wanted to make gardening and nature accessible to all, while promoting its benefits to people’s overall wellbeing.

He said: “I started Brockley Farm from a place of low self-esteem, and through the wellbeing benefits of connecting with nature and gardening, it almost felt selfish not to share those experiences. In terms of wellbeing, it’s been hugely beneficial.”

The CGG Project is already up and running, with volunteers lending their time to help in a number of ways. There will be membership schemes available, an open day and workshops, and an official launch date to be announced soon.

There is much more in the pipeline for the project too. Stephen added: “Through the project I would like to take it on a smaller scale to more local towns to make it more accessible to a lot more people and encouraging nature into the surrounding towns.”

Stephen is encouraging anyone who wishes to contribute their time or make a donation towards the project to get in touch.

For more information about the CGG Project, visit www.brockleyfarm.com, email [email protected], or go to the Community Garden and Greenhouse Project page on Facebook.