Metal

During the renovations at Chalkwell Hall, Ackroyd and Harvey suggested taking Metal’s association with food, and our green ambitions for our house in Southend on Sea one step further by creating a Kitchen Garden in Chalkwell Park.

Working with Southend on Sea Borough Council parks team, and a team of community volunteers we have, in June 2009, planted our first vegetables on a plot adjacent to the house.

The garden has four rotating beds, growing vegetables (root, brassica and legumes). The beautiful olive tree that drew the crowds at our Hampton Court Show Garden in 2008 has been planted as a centrepiece.

The Kitchen Garden is looked after by Metal, the parks team, a group of willling volunteers and is soon to be taken on by the nearby Chalkwell Hall Primary School pupils as part of their curriculum.  Two of the beds are also used in the NVQ training for new recruits to SBC parks team. 

The Kitchen Garden helps to raise awareness of the issue of food miles, as well as contribute to keeping Metal’s low.  It also provides us with a fantastic opportunity to work with neighbours – individuals and other businesses on the nurturing, harvesting and eating of any produce we manage to grow.

If you would like to get involved in the Kitchen Garden group please contact Grace Acton - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  All are welcome - from the most experienced gardener, to the absolute novice.