New edible forest garden opens in Bristol

A giant strawberry pinata helped young people to celebrate a new edible forest garden at Lawrence Weston Community Farm yesterday.

About 200 young people and their families gathered for the opening of the garden at the farm in Saltmarsh Drive.

Free activities including smoothie making, badge making, T-shirt printing and face painting were run by Juicy Blitz Youth Project.

The farm aims to help combat social exclusion and provide a safe and supportive environment in which people can flourish and contribute positively to their community.

Education co-ordinator for the charity, Kerry Rowe, said: "It's been a fabulous day. The idea behind the edible forest garden is for people to be able to come and pick fruits such as gooseberries, kiwis, grapes and blueberries – which will all grow with a little care – and then we can use them for fruit smoothies and kebabs and to encourage healthy eating.

"It was great to see young people organising activities for other young people today."