Keen gardeners with time on their hands are being invited to roll up their sleeves for a new community project being launched by Englefield’s Five A Day Market Garden.  

“Thyme Together” has been created especially for people over the age of 60 to provide them with the opportunity to learn more about gardening and enjoy growing vegetables, fruit and flowers together.

Established in 2009, the Five A Day Market Garden has become a productive not for profit community initiative providing food and flowers for local people. Based on a two-acre plot leased to the group by the Englefield Estate, the Garden is also an important educational resource for people of all ages.

Pam Goddard, the founder and leader of the project said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for older people to learn and share a love of gardening. We hope it will appeal to people who may have been lifelong gardeners but don’t have the space, time or energy to grow everything they would like to grow. We also want to inspire people who’ve had other commitments throughout their working lives and now have the time to explore a new interest.

“Our garden at Englefield is such a lovely place and provides a wonderful, tranquil space to enjoy gardening; learning from one another, nurturing the fruit, veg, flowers and wildlife and, most importantly, enjoying each other’s company.”

The Five A Day Market Garden is open two days a week selling seasonal produce and flowers. The organisation also runs team-building events, community education projects and garden tours. They work closely with local schools and other groups to educate people on growing produce, healthy eating and sustainability.

Edward Crookes, Estates Director at the Englefield Estate said: “The Five A Day Market Garden is a wonderful initiative that provides so much for the local community and we are proud to support such an inspiring organisation.”

The Thyme Together sessions will be held every Tuesday until 31st October and will be run by a team of dedicated volunteers from the Five A Day Market Garden team.

To apply for a place on Thyme Together, call or email Project Co-ordinator Pam Goddard on 07939 676 050 or pam@fiveaday.org.uk. For more information about the organisation visit www.fiveaday.org.uk or find its fundraising page at www.localgiving.org/charity/fiveaday/.