NORTHWICH activists hope to cultivate community spirit and raise awareness of green issues by encouraging people to grow and share food for free.

Volunteer group Transition Northwich has launched its latest project for 2019 – Transition Streets.

Its aim is to bring communities together, street by street, to create a greener, more sustainable town starting with the simple act of producing fresh food to share with your neighbours.

Rudheath resident Paul Mathias, from Transition Northwich, explained: “The project encompasses the aims of the Transition Town initiative, which is to create strong local communities that can thrive in a world without oil, gas and coal.

“Climate change is one of the biggest threats we face, but for a lot of people it’s a scary concept and they think that they can’t do anything as an individual. But we can’t afford to sit back and do nothing and there is a lot that we can do if we act as a community.

Northwich Guardian:

“One of the biggest barriers to making change is getting the conversation started. If people don’t talk about it, they don’t know about it, and if they don’t know about it there isn’t going to be any action.”

Which is why the 67-year-old, who is leading the project, has suggested growing food to share at the front of people’s properties in order to get people talking.

Paul said: “All you need to do is find a spot in your garden flower bed, or on a wall or fence that is accessible from the street. It might just be space for a pot or a planter, perhaps a bucket, old chimney pot, welly boot or watering can – anything really.

“Fill it with compost from a reliable source and then plant an edible plant or two which you’re happy to share with your neighbours. Maybe herbs, tomato or courgette, some strawberries, lettuce or kale, whatever you fancy.”

The group has established an edible garden behind Northwich Library, and residents and Winnington and Rudheath are already doing their bit for the project.

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A Facebook group called TN Transition Streets has been set up with lots of advice on how to get your own street involved, and participating streets will be entered into the North West in Bloom competition which is being judged on July 30.

Paul added: “It’s a big challenge, people have such busy lives and maybe think that they can’t do anything to solve the problem. But if a lot of people come together and make a start even on a small scale, they’ll see that they can make a difference.”

For more information on Transition Northwich visit transitionnorthwich.weebly.com