Community Growing Project

I would welcome members views and comments about the Project detailed on the attached link:

Grown in Middlesbrough

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I thinks its a brilliant plan. I hope it is a success.

What I would hope though is that it is very proactively promoted. It would be great if it managed to attract those that lack direction. The sort that used to be called riffraff. Just because I think if they had something to focus on, many of them would make improvements in their lives, and that is better for everyone.

 

Sounds like a very good idea. Maybe other towns and cities could think about doing projects like this there is enough derelict and unused land around.

 

I agree, it sounds like a great idea and I hope it does get a lot of promotion and gets a voice. I would certainly love something like that around here!

 

I would urge those involved to keep a close eye on the administration of the project.

A few years ago, when I lived in Sheffield, our local neighbour got a £51M grant from the government for "urban regeneration". One of the conditions was that local groups would also pull their weight.

One of the plans was to take a piece of disused land, and fill it with herbs and fruit trees. Our local newsletter asked for volunteers to help planting. I volunteered and never heard no more for ages. The project didn't even get started.

After about a year, there was an article in our local newsletter again. The headline was something like "Where's all the money gone?". It seems that £51M, which did turn up, suddenly became a few grand when somebody checked again. All the houses on our street had their brickwork repointed, but that doesn't cost millions. Nobody in charge could explain where the money went, and according to the local news, no investigation was carried out.

So, to ensure success, I urge those involved to keep a close eye on the accounts.