UWE students create 'urban' forest

Student volunteers from the University of the West of England will help to create a forest garden with a team from community gardening group Eastside Roots at Stapleton Road train station tomorrow.

A group of 12 students will spend the day clearing the site at the station's gardening hub to make it ready to plant a forest garden on an area of derelict land.

The UWE volunteers will also build steps and a path to allow good access to the site.

The garden will be based on the principles of permaculture, which recreates how things grow in the wild in a sustainable and self-sufficient way, without care or intervention from people.

Jo Earl, from UWE's community volunteer programme, said the day had been organised to help students gain an awareness of sustainability issues.

She said: "They will get a great insight into growing food, permaculture, and community regeneration projects.

"The gardening hub at Stapleton Road is an inspiring model of skill sharing in the community, and what can be achieved by volunteers."

Nick Ward, project co-ordinator at Eastside Roots, said: "The forest garden is the latest stage in our renovation of the derelict land next to Stapleton Road station.

"We aim to transform it into a thriving green space and community resource for the people in east Bristol.

"It's great that the students are getting involved.

"We've developed a good relationship with the UWE community volunteer programme, and it's a fantastic chance for the students to get some grass roots experience of permaculture."

The event will take place from 10.30am to 4.30pm.