The Langdon Community Gardening Project
The Langdon Community Gardening Project got under way with the appointment of a Langdon Gardening Coordinator in June 2009. Branded work wear was bought to give the Langdon People involved in the scheme appropriate clothing for work as well as giving them an identity as a team on the programme. In the 18 months the project has been running, Langdon properties have improved in appearance and the garden project has seen a successful harvest of fruit and vegetables. The most recent project involved the building of a secure area for the arrival of 9 laying Leghorn Chicken’s. A small business has grown from the brood of hens enabling the group to learn about animal husbandry and money handling (the money taken for the eggs helps pay for feed etc as well as giving any of the small profit to the workers)
How would the prize money be spent?
The prize money would be spent on hand and power tools and replacement work-wear. More chickens and feed will be purchased. We will purchase more sapling trees in preparation for the festival of Tu B'shvat (we are looking to stimulate interest in the festival by offering trees for sale). It will also ensure the continuance and development of the project.
What impact will your project have?
Our project has had a remarkable impact on our residents and the community who benefit from purchasing produce. We are now inviting school children to come in and spend time helping with the project and have recently had a very successful visit from Delamare Forest Students who greatly enjoyed the hands on experience. We are looking forward to welcoming more school children.
What are the measures for your project's success and how will you monitor them?
1. Continued consistent attendance shows that the project is giving value to the participants.
2. Several early participants are now moving on into the wider community for work and work experience. Previously, they did not have the skills to do this. However, because we instil work ethics within them this enables participants to transfer these skills when moving on to the outside greater community.