12:42pm Tuesday 13th July 2010
THE pioneering approach of a country garden in helping people to eat healthly and support the community has been praised by the Bishop of Dudley.
The Rt Rev David Walker was introduced to the project during a recent visit to the Teme Valley.
The garden is part of the TemeWork scheme at Eastham Park, near Tenbury Wells, which allows lovers of fresh vegetables and herbs to buy allotments ready planted up, weeded and available to harvest.
The project is based on an original idea in which Temework.co.uk, an e-commerce website business, supplies boxes of organic produce to people living in the area.
The bishop said: “This is a wonderful demonstration of how local people can support farming and their community and enjoy a better, healthier way of life.”
Celia Adams, the founder of TemeWork, said: “This is a community scheme which is not for profit and proceeds go back into the local community.
“Last year we gave £1,200 to the local village hall to help replace windows and a further £1,200 to the local church to help fund its organ restoration. In addition, a donation was given to Help for Heroes within Eastham and the adjoining villages.
“It was magic day when the bishop came and we were able to to explain to him just what we are doing.
“Nationally, our health is suffering from processed food and the effort needed to ship apples from other countries to our supermarkets costs our planet dear. This way, we can all help ourselves to health and help our neighbours.
“The Teme Valley apple and damson blossom was at its very best the day that the Bishop of Dudley came and the sun shone.
The valley used to be full of agriculture with a few commuters. This is changing now, with more contract farming, smallholdings and more people running businesses from home.
“The bishop was delighted to take away lettuce, radishes and newly-cut rhubarb for his family, and colleagues due for supper with him that evening.”
Temework allows local growers to trade directly with local consumers by delivering produce to their door. Mum-of-two Debbie Powell, an experienced horticulturalist, tends the scheme at Eastham Park with great dedication – when she is not training for marathons to raise funds for Help for Heroes or looking after the horses.
Supporters pay £52 each month for a full allotment or £26 for half, to provide them with fresh vegetables all year the round.
For more information, contact Celia Adams on 01584 781244 or e-mail her at celia@celiaadams.
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