Seedy Sunday - 6th February 2011
We are 10!
By Melanie Matthews
Brighton and Hove’s allotmenteers have played a key role in making the city the hub for local Seed saving and Seed swapping in Britain. Sunday 6th February will be another celebration of this all day at Hove Town Hall; it is the major in February for all gardeners and allotment tenants to come out of hibernation to meet friends, swap or “buy” local seeds for a 50p donation. It’s a day to chat to stalls holders - including the Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation - to listen to some talks on biodiversity and to take part in gardeners question time. We are expecting over 1500 people again.
We do not sell seeds (some herit age varieties are illegal to sell) we swap them or you can give a donation. We do not swap potatoes. Two high reliable national companies sell certified seed potatoes that are pest free and virus free, though you must always take care that your soil is pest free, as eel worm eggs can lay dormant for a long time. On this ask advice on infection from your Allotment Site reps.
Seedy Sunday has captured the imagination of local communities and TV as seed swaps are now being held the length and breadth of the country, inspired and supported by our own first city Seed Swap in Britain. The main reasons for holding Seedy Sunday here in Brighton is:
- To promote the conservation of biodiversity in the garden and locally.
- To save our heritage and rare crops from extinction.
- To increase local food security by more people growing their own food
- To connect up with local food projects and allotments
- To encourage good food and healthy living at an affordable price.
Seedy Sunday is completely voluntary, a non profit organisation (with no City Council funding this cannot be cut!) It does need help from allotment holders in providing and exchanging quality seeds, it needs volunteers for a couple of hours on the day (volunteers please contact Alan ) and letting your friends know about Seedy Sunday’s website and the big day ahead. Please help.
Seedy Sunday 2011, Sunday 6th February, Hove Town Hall, 10- 4.30, £2 on the door, children free. Sponsored by Infinity Foods and the Coop.