Atmosphere is ‘electric’ at seed swap event

The Sow & Grow Seed Swap was opened by the town crier Bob Smytherman on Saturday at Oak Grove College in The Boulevard, Durrington.

It included a variety of activities for keen and beginner gardeners of all ages interested in local food, recycling and conservation or other environmental issues.

A variety of stalls from local community groups that promote sustainable living, wildlife and conservation organisations were also offered.

Louise Breinholt, event co-organiser, said: “The atmosphere was really electric. In terms of numbers through the door it was the highest so far and the feedback we have had on social media has been really good. It was a really fantastic response.

The event is held so that everybody with a love of gardening and green space can come together and learn something.

New groups were represented at the fair this year including Sussex Food Sovereignty, a group working towards systemic change of the current unsustainable and unequal industrialised food system.

The fair offered inspirational talks with from Tony Whitbread, chief executive of Sussex Wildlife Trust, Peter May, a Sussex fruit tree and orchard expert from Brighton Permaculture Trust, and Dr Steve Millam, head of Horticulture at Brinsbury College. Visitors also had the chance to find out about locally produced food and food schemes including the sustainable­ fishing scheme Catchbox Worthing. Entertainment was provided throughout the day by the South Down Folk Singers and a raffle with prizes donated by stall holders and events were called by the town crier. Hot food was provided by the college students and homemade cakes were available at the pop­-up café.

Other activities for adults included a herbalist demonstration and willow weaving and an hourly storytime was offered for children.