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Confessions of...an urban gardener page 2
Children are also finding out about sustainability and food production thanks to the ‘Dig for Victory: War on Waste’ campaign being run by the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms and The Royal Parks.
Launched in May, it centres on a Second World War-themed organic allotment in St James’s Park, which is being tended by school groups and volunteers. Free public events will be run throughout the summer, culminating in a Harvest Fair on the 27th and 28th of September.
War on waste
Howard Benge, Head of Learning and Access at the Churchill Museum thinks a combination of factors are driving interest: “I think it’s coming from all angles - celebrity chefs, media, campaign groups - but necessity is also part of it. People are concerned about the amount of waste we produce and statistics such as landfills being completely full by 2010 are sobering. More than 80,000 people attended the events we ran in 2007, which gives some indication of the level of public interest.”
He adds: “Gardening is of course great exercise and gets people out of the office, or off the sofa.There’s a definite need for more ‘back to nature’ activities and being able to eat what you grow is an added benefit.”
Sales of vegetable seeds are soaring, with some suppliers reporting 40 per cent year-on-year increases. A shortage of allotments means that waiting lists can be up to five years in some parts of the country.
‘Digging for Victory’ appears to be as relevant today as it was in 1939. Britain will hopefully never need to resort to the measures necessitated by the War, but people all over the country are proactively doing their bit to help create a more sustainable future.
Poster images are copyright of Imperial War Museum
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