Bristol could get an edible bus stop

A CLEEVE nursery has been chosen to grow plants for the first 'edible' bus stop outside of London.

The Edible Bus Stop group has asked owners of Cleeve Nursery, Alan and Felicity Down, to grow the vegetables and flowers which will be used in the innovative project.

The bus stop will take pride of place at the National Gardening Show at the Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, from August 31-September 2 before being transferred to a new location – possibly in the Bristol area.

People are being asked to nominate suitable bus stop locations across the Bristol area where the project can be set up. Residents would be invited to continue to care for the bus stop, weeding, watering and planting fruit and vegetables. The crops would then be shared between those caring for the site and the local community.

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It is hoped to eventually roll out the edible bus stop scheme across the UK, encouraging local communities to get involved, turning once forgotten spaces into thriving neighbourhood hubs which are celebrated by local residents and users of the bus route.

'Edible bus stops' already exist in London at Lambeth Hospital and West Norwood Fire Station.

Mr Down, who is celebrating his 30th year at the helm of Cleeve Nursery, has been busy growing a range of plants including cabbages, herbs, pumpkins and kale ready for the bus stop. He said: "This scheme has been successful in London and the edible bus stop will be a key exhibit at the garden show.

"We have been talking to landscape gardeners and artists about how the garden should look. The scheme is about connecting local communities and the bus stops will be planted and local people asked to work together to maintain and look after the project then share the crops. We will be looking for a site for the bus stop in the south west, perhaps in a more deprived area of somewhere like Bristol. This scheme is not a flash in the pan and eventually it is hoped the scheme will be rolled out right around the country, with more and more communities becoming involved."

People can apply for the edible bus stop to be placed in their area by visiting Cleeve Nursery website and going to the events page.

For more information visit www.theediblebusstop.org.