The Bardon Grange project is a community food growing project that gives students, staff, and other members of the local community the opportunity to grow organic food in a communal growing space. Our main site is an old walled garden at Bardon Grange (within the grounds of Oxley Halls of Residence) in North West Leeds that is owned by Leeds University. The project was established in January 2009 and is one of Leeds University Union's community projects. We grow lots of organic fruit and veg in the garden, support and teach people how to grow their own, and also sell lots of plants and produce to help fund the project, and to encourage people to grow and eat locally produced food. We have weekly gardening sessions and a programme of workshops and events to help people learn more about sustainable food production, gain new skills, and enjoy the good life! See below for more information on what we've got coming up.
We are always happy to welcome new volunteers along to the garden; you don't need to know anything about growing food - just as long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty!
We have regular Wednesday afternoon/evening gardening sessions and we sometimes have other activities and workshops in the garden and on campus - have a look below for more info on what's on or check the LUU calendar on the What's On page of the LUU website.
You may have seen the new sustainable garden in Chancellor's Court, next to the Roger Stevens building. The space is open for anyone to come along and harvest the produce, but If you want to be involved in maintaining the garden please come along to our sessions over the next few weeks. Whether you are a skilled food grower or a complete novice, come along and enjoy being outside in a beautiful space and we can share ideas and learn from eachother!
Thursdays 12pm - 2pm
More sessions TBC (email bardongrangeproject@luu.leeds.ac.uk to join mailing list to be kept up to date with sessions)
As well as volunteering in the garden at Bardon Grange, we often have other volunteer opportunities available, such as volunteering with office work or helping with kids gardening sessions. Stay posted for upcoming positions...
The project also has a membership scheme (£5 for 12 months) for people who want to help in the garden and get a share of the produce, take part in courses, buy plants or compost from us, or simply support the project. Benefits include a free sack of Bardon Grange compost (about 50 litres worth), free pots and module trays and the chance to meet other members and share skills and ideas. For more information download the Bardon Grange Membership Form (pdf).
We have lots of compost and woodchip at Bardon Grange, produced by the university Grounds and Gardens team from green waste around campus, so very local and sustainably produced! If you would like any compost and woodchip for yourself or your organisation, we'd be very happy for you to take some off our hands in return for a donation to the project. Any income that we receive goes into us helping sustain and develop the Bardon Grange Project.
Please be aware that the compost and woodchip is only available for pick-up by prior arrangement - please contact us with the following details at least a week in advance of when you ideally would like to collect some, so that we've got enough time to arrange for someone to be there and point you in the direction of the compost heap:
Name (of individual and organisation, if applicable)
Phone number
Email address
Day/time you would like to pick up (based on what it says below)
Please note that you need to provide your own bags/sacks, and also bring along your own spade or shovel. The best times for picking up is Wednesday late afternoon or early evening during one of our gardening sessions. Other times possible by prior arrangement.
Donations can be made by cash or cheque (made payable to Leeds University Union) and must be made on collection.
Alternatively, we can invoice you for larger amounts, but please contact us in advance.
For more information, please contact Caroline, at bardongrangeproject@luu.leeds.ac.uk or on 0113 3801328.
We also run simple food growing sessions with local children. If you are a teacher or are interested in organising a children's session, have a look at our leaflet about schools sessions (pdf). If you are a student interested in volunteering on our schools sessions, please contact the project coordinator.
NUS has teamed up with Homebase to run the Fresher Freshers scheme to help support student food growing projects to provide fresh, healthy, environmentally-friendly produce. We are working with NUS to help us develop our plans and ensure long-term sustainability for the Bardon Grange Project.
As a member of Fresher Freshers, we have and will continue to recieve some free gardening materials, tools and seeds from Homebase, including a shed which is a massive bonus for us. So a big thank you to Homebase for the freebies!
To find out more, email Caroline, the project coordinator, at bardongrangeproject@luu.leeds.ac.uk, check out our Facebook group or follow @BardonGrange on Twitter!
Here are some directions (pdf) to Bardon Grange, and our postcode is LS16 5PA, in case you're not sure where to find us!
volunteering@luu.leeds.ac.uk
0113 380 1329/1324
1pm-4pm, Mon-Fri
Follow our tips at www.leaveleedstidy.com for information on how to reduce, reuse and recycle!
Visit the Love Leeds Charity Shop to nab yourself a bargain!