In honour of national community awareness event The Big Lunch, green fingered Chester and District Housing Trust (CDHT) residents hosted a big barbecue lunch where residents of all ages enjoyed produce they had grown, from seed to plate.

Gardeners with CDHT’s Growing Spaces project in Weston Grove, Upton, hosted the barbecue at nearby Arderne House, which included food made from homegrown vegetables.

At the Weston Grove Growing Spaces site, junior growers created a bug hotel whilst Hoole Allotment and Garden Association (HAGA) experts were on hand offering advice on growing herbs, as well as sharing plants and seeds with the budding gardeners.

The Growing Spaces project, which is being delivered through a partnership between Sanctuary Housing, Sainsbury’s Family Charitable Trust and HAGA, makes use of former garage sites and turns them into viable and sustainable growing spaces.

Sue Perry, CDHT Growing Spaces co-ordinator, said: “Thanks to all involved for putting on a fantastic feast at Arderne House as part of the Big Lunch. Weston Grove is the first of four unused garage spaces in Chester to undergo a super sized grow-bag makeover. The Growing Spaces project encourages complete novices as well as green-fingered experts to get involved and enjoy gardening, helping to develop their very own neighbourhood green space.”

The Big Lunch is a national annual event aimed at bringing people and communities together.

To find out more about the Growing Spaces Projects or to get involved with the project on the next site at Queen’s Road, Vicars Cross, contact Sue Perry on 01244 305406 or email sue.perry@sanctuary-housing.co.uk.

Olwen Dodds, of Arderne House, with young growers who are part of the Growing Spaces Project at Weston Grove