Frome Valley Growing Project
What are we?
Frome Valley Growing Project exists for land and for people. It is an intergenerational community that was founded on Permaculture Design Principles and developed as a response to the climate crisis. We aim to teach best practices for growing food, improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, promoting seed sovereignty and protecting heritage varieties of food.
We provide access to plants, green spaces and gardening activities which research supports are important for improving physical health and mental wellbeing. We offer opportunities to volunteers, schools, electively home educated children, local families and corporate groups.
On our site in Winterbourne we produce locally grown nutrient dense, chemical free fresh food with low food miles to our local community, including to food banks and community cafes. In addition to growing annual vegetables we have a food forest, wetland meadow, children’s play equipment, poly tunnel, herb garden, bee hives and rewilding area.
We have an irrigation system to use and conserve water on our site. We use locally sourced compost, manure and woodchip. We also always aim to recycle and reuse as many resources and materials as we can.
Our Partners
We have worked with numerous local partners including; Frome Valley Medical Centre, Winterbourne Academy, Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environmental Group, One Planet Matters, Shift Bristol, UWE, Avon Wildlife Trust, Southern Brooks
We have received funding from; National Lottery, West of England Combined Authority, Winterbourne Parish Council
What you need to know
Walking to our site – Turn left at the Swan Pub into Swan Lane. Continue walking past Crossley Farm Business Centre and some houses until you see the stone style on your right (after the red dog poo bin!) Climb the style, continue straight ahead until you reach the field boundary and then turn left down the hill. Follow the track round to the right and you will see our site in front of you (look out for the polytunnel and our sign)
Arriving by Bus – Y1 and Y2 buses stop at the Swan Pub on Bristol Road which is the nearest bus stop to our site.
Driving – If you are driving, parking is located just inside the gate to the field. Please walk from here unless you have mobility issues. In which case please contact us for advice on access arrangements.