There’s been plenty to celebrate during Moulsecoomb Forest Garden’s 30th anniversary year. Our little garden oasis has grown from a half-abandoned allotment site into a wildlife haven that supports adults with learning disabilities and children struggling in mainstream education. And it’s home for an abundance of wildlife who ungratefully dig the place up and scoff the food we grow.
Highlights of the year included our annual open day, which turned into a special Forest Garden Birthday celebration in July. We were selected to be part of the Brighton Photo Fringe Festival, with our pictures exhibited on the seafront and at Moulsecoomb train station alongside our revamped bee and butterfly bank. Our new compost bins are almost too good to put waste in and Lioncare children are making Tuesdays very busy, with our new young chef Theo cooking up a storm with Jo. And all on top of all our regular activities and sessions. As the head of Lioncare told us our work with their pupils has “exceeded my expectations.“
We are part of the team that has helped transform Moulsecoomb Primary school’s grounds where we’ve planted hundreds of trees. There’s an orchard, fairytale forest, wildlife ponds, rain garden, chickens, veg gardens and replica prehistoric houses. It’s a place for children to thrive and learn and play, where 65% get free school dinners. The school is one of only three South Downs National Park Ambassador schools. In the most recent glowing OFSTED report inspectors said: “Gardening activities boost pupils’ mental health and well-being, giving pupils opportunities to proudly develop their impressive school grounds further.”
In the Easter and summer holidays, Moulsecoomb Primary children had great fun doing everything from archery and building camps in the woods, cooking pizzas, making natural art, and generally running around until Jools calmed everyone down with her silent disco.
Being an AQA centre means we can support pupils in working towards formally recognised records of achievement. For many of the pupils we work with, the only qualifications they will gain during their school years will be from us. And being around for so long, we have built up relationships with families that go back years – one mum who recently came up on a school visit said was happy to see her child doing the same things she was doing 22 years ago! These connections mean we can contact those families that might get overlooked, to make sure their children don’t miss out, and that we can step in when there are crises.
While the idea of the garden is to grow food for many of the adults with disabilities that come along, we know it’s much more than just that.
“I don’t get out much, coming to the garden helps me get new friends.”
“Coming here is therapeutic. If I didn’t come here, I would feel more alone.”
“I have been coming 20 years I really like the people. I like being out in the community even though there’s not a lot I can do because of my disability.”
“I get bored at home. It’s easier working with other people and getting to meet people. People can get jobs like gardening, cooking and woodwork.”
It’s good to hear one person mentioning work! What’s really clear is that a big part of what we do is getting people to meet new people. Sure, they might do the occasional bit of graft but never underestimate the social side, and getting out in the fresh air whatever the weather.
That’s not to say our little haven isn’t immune from the outside world. Money is always tight, and we can’t help but notice fewer bees, butterflies and insects. And I can’t remember the last time we saw a hedgehog. Mind you, there’s plenty of badgers. And slugs – you’re welcome to them! As the climate is changing, we are seeing fewer frosts that would kill off the bugs, and the never ending rain that fills up our water tanks but soaks the soul as well as our socks.
We know our small community garden can have a big impact on people’s lives, to make them feel part of something. But it’s also important that we work with others, ensuring that our roots reach out across the area – like regularly litterpicking and collecting all the fallen leaves for composting – while also creating a magical space for wildlife to thrive.
After 50 people joined us for Christmas dinner, we are having a short break to recharge and plan for the next few years.
FUNDERS AND FRIENDS OF THE FOREST GARDEN
Thanks to our funders this year, The Chalk Cliff Trust for general running costs, East Brighton Trust for our open day, Brighton and Hove Food Partnership Climate Action Fund for our compost bins, The Pebble Trust for our holiday schemes, Focus Foundation for improvements to our cooking area, The Brighton Soiree Rotary Club for supporting our young people and Your Station, Your Community Improvement Fund supporting the bee and butterfly bank at Moulsecoomb train station – as well as many other funders who wish to remain anonymous.
A massive thank you also to our Friends of the Forest Garden whose monthly donations make a really big difference to our organisation. We plan and manage our finances carefully, but costs are rising, funds are shrinking. Regular small (or large!) donations really help us to stay afloat, so if you want to support our work you can sign up here
