String o' Beads Forest Garden Chain Tom Bliss - tom@urbal.tv - 20 06 14

A feature within www.leedsediblecampus.co.uk

String o' Beads (rhyming slang for Leeds - working title only) is a concept for a chain of 'pocket' forest gardens and orchards, with interspersed wild flower / pollinator and food planting, across the Leeds Edible Campus site, linking the community permaculture garden at Bedford Fields in the north with the University of Leeds Sustainable Garden in the south, to provide a foraging route deep into the city.

NB: String o' Beads is primarily an academic project for Leeds Met students, but it does have potential for live implementation. This will only be considered if all stakeholder parties are content and funding secured. Expert survey, engagement and design work by Leeds Met, Parks and Permaculture UK/Edible Cities would then ensure that any planting was appropriate, attractive and ecologically sound, with long-term maintenance and support systems in place. It is not intended substantially to alter the character, aesthetic or functions of the Moor. Initially, intervention would be minimal - usually in unused corners - with additions phased in as agreed over a period of years.

For illustration only. Final locations of 'beads' would be decided by analytical process - see website for progress

Forest gardens adopt a woodland ecosystem model for the low-maintenance growing of fruit and vegetables as permanent crops, while also promoting biodiversity though the inclusion of wild flowers and native planting. Permaculture principles are employed to mimic the natural structure of a woodland, (ground cover, under-story, mid-story and canopy) to deliver 'scrumpable' food for passing locals and students (many of whom are disconnected from fresh food, or even in food poverty), enhanced habitats for pollinators and wildlife, and an attractive aesthetic in keeping with the requirements of a busy city centre community park and campus.

The canopy is provided by fruit and nut trees, such as apples, plums, pears, cherries, chestnuts and hazelnuts. The mid-storey includes shrubs such as blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and perennial herbs, and the under-storey and ground cover consists of edibles such as strawberries and low-growing herbs like wild garlic and mint. Climbers like peas and beans grow through the structure, which also supports bees from hives on campus nearby.

The scheme would link and enhance the many existing food and wildflower projects across the Edible Campus. It would also feature an 'edible trail' with educational signage and, potentially, art installations if deemed appropriate.

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Tea break at Bedford Fields Community Forest Garden

Partners

Following coincidental enquiries from a number of parties, informal discussions have suggested the above concept. There are however some key groups, notably The Friends of Woodhouse Moor who have not yet been directly involved, but without whose support the project could not advance.

Feed Leeds are co-managers of Leeds Edible Campus. Grants would be managed via the Feed Leeds account. (Tom Bliss of Feed Leeds and Leeds Met Landscape dpt is co-ordinating).

BugLife are keen to encourage pollinator planting (including orchards) on the Moor, which falls within their designated B-Lines scheme. They do not have funds, but have much to bring to the table. The London Orchard Project is actively looking to help develop orchards in Leeds, and may have significant resources available. Grow Wild have offered at £5k for planting (available September) and further resources may be available by other means.

Leeds Green Exchange (NUS funding) have offered potentially generous sums (£6k?) for planting and interpretive signs. Bids to this fund will need to be made by students (we have a volunteer). Community First funding may also be available - and other potentially significant sources would be pursued.

Leeds Parks have identified two areas for potential wildflower meadows on the Moor, and are also interested in planting suggestions for the decommissioned bowling greens (which could form one of the main 'beads'). They do not have funding, but have much else to offer, not least plants from Redhall Nurseries. There are also edible beds planned for the Moor, as in 2013. (Parks have asked for any suggestions for Woodhouse Moor to be submitted separately to any on UoL land).

Bedford Fields community forest garden would form one of the enhanced 'beads' and would provide plants, expertise and, possibly, labour - as would Bardon Grange / UoL Sustainable Garden who are, with UoL Estates, aiming to enhance wildflower, fruit tree and edible planting on campus.

The University of Leeds sustainability team are already developing the String within the UoL campus, and academics from both universities are scoping research topics (including evaluation, social attitudes, traffic pollution, pollinator biology, food justice etc) based around the project.

Leeds Met Landscape has two students working on SoB as a research and design project (June to Sept). They are engaging with partners and working with LMU and LPN ecologists to develop initial sketch plans. These will then be reviewed by Parks landscape architects, Feed Leeds, the BugLife team and others as required, before final working proposals are produced for submission to stakeholders. (Overseas interns will also be available in September, and other LMU modules may be framed around this project in the autumn). Leeds Met Lets Grow (volunteering / allotment project)

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also have students who can assist with design and planting. Other LMU students have expressed interest in creating interpretive signage, artwork and web-based systems (apps etc). if appropriate.

LEDA sustainable architects are commissioning wildlife-themed sculpture/s from a local artist, Benedict Phillips, which they are keen to site within the LEC. Other artwork may be available via students and community groups.

Leeds Permaculture Network (LPN), the Permaculture Association (based in Leeds) and local permaculture consultancy Edible Cities are keen to be involved, and have suggested the addition of permaculture education and training to the String of outcomes.

Others who have expressed an interest include Hyde Park Source (community environmental provision), City of Leeds School and All Hallows Church growing project. Others who may like to be involved include the University of Leeds Green Action Food Co-op and Sustainability Action Group (who have bee hives on campus), Oblong, the Hyde Park Garden Project, Blenheim and Rosebank Primary schools, and other local groups and businesses - including, ideally, food outlets who might serve up produce gown by the scheme.

Allotments covered most of Woodhouse Moor during in WWII

Survey, Engagement and Concepts

A series of potential target sites have been identified (see map) which are being assessed for their existing ecology and functionality. Meanwhile meetings are taking place with key stakeholders to establish opinions, ideas and challenges. Once these processes are complete, the target sites will be narrowed to a short list, with potential timings and adopters identified, and concept designs and management plans will be prepared. These will be shared with the wider group before being narrowed again to sites capable of development in the winter of 2014/5, for which detailed plans, including funding bids, will be prepared for formal submission (anticipated completion; mid August).

Leeds University Sustainable Garden

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