It might be autumn time but green shoots are already in sight as Hannah Jones carefully cultivates the first projects in her role as Community Growing Co-ordinator with SKDT.
And she hopes her early work to cultivate a green-fingered community in Kintyre will produce green shoots of energy and enthusiasm amongst all generations in the peninsula.
And with some important partnerships already taking root in Campbeltown and beyond – including some food-growing education in her home village of Bellochantuy –
As she settles into her role as the trust’s growing coordinator, Hannah talked about the experience gained leading her to the role – and about what she hopes to achieve through her newly created post.
Hannah explained: “I have a degree background in environmental studies with a grounding in gardening and landscaping in Gloucestershire, where I also supported schools to run nature clubs and growing projects in community spaces.”
Since making the move to Kintyre 17 years ago, Hannah and husband Will have since sold Kintyre Eggs from their Bellochantuy-based farm on the west Kintyre coast.
Hannah has an HNC in Childhood Practice, allowing her to work with young people in Scotland, and she has already brought this skill set to a help lead a fledgling partnership with Dalintober Primary School in Campbeltown’s eco club, as well as welcoming nursery pupils from the town to the SKDT fruit and herb garden on the Quarry Green at Kilkerran – all under the campaign banner of ‘Kintyre Grows’ and the larger SKDT-led project, Kintyre Climate Action.
Hannah said of her aims in the role: “We have already started reaching out to and working with local groups which is great, and we would like to be able to support even more individuals and organisations in the peninsula through Kintyre Grows.
“One particular aim is to turn the Gateway Garden (on Kinloch Road, Campbeltown) into a reusable community space.
“It is fantastic to see different groups unite with a common goal to transform unused spaces into growing spaces for food and plant life – not to mention the mental health benefits and connection with nature that getting outdoors can bring.”
To contact Hannah Hones, SKDT Community Growing Coordinator, call Campbeltown Town Hall on 01586 552870, or email kintyregrows@skdt.org
Alternatively, contact Kintyre Climate Action on Facebook.