Keep Swindon Tidy / Plastic Free Swindon started regularly regularly litter picking Cambria Bridge and the old canal path into town in 2018. We were looking for ways to keep the area clean. Community gardening can be a good way to do this, encouraging respect for the environment (see broken window theory). Growing South Swindon Community (GSSC) was officially formed in 2022 after collaboration between Plastic Free Swindon, South Swindon Parish Council, and local residents. Its key aims are to improve the local environment and to bring together community.
Projects include raised flower beds, The Bean Patch, fruit bushes, a mud kitchen, a herb garden aka “Nature’s Pharmacy”, and a community allotment. The differences at Cambria Bridge have been amazing. The area was not well used and was commonly used as a dumping ground. Our work has helped to transform the area. It’s now well used and loved by the local community.
Growing South Swindon Community is part of Swindon Growers, a network of growing groups which are run by and for local communities. Swindon Growers hosts the annual Growers Summit, Crop Drop, and Growers Drinks at the Beehive. Contact them at to get involved with a growing group in your area.
There are many benefits to local, organic food:
- Reduced packaging, including plastics.
- Lower food miles.
- Good quality / nutritious food.
- No pesticides or synthetic chemicals used.
- Better health.
- Nurtures communities.
- Good for the local economy.
- Furthers economic equality.
- Fair contracts for suppliers.
- ...and so many more benefits!!
Buying from supermarkets can be detrimental in many respects:
- 900,000+ tonnes of plastic packaging waste produced every year.
- Higher food miles.
- Relatively poor quality / nutritionally deficient food.
- Use of pesticides and other toxic, synthetic chemicals.
- Poor health outcomes.
- Impoverish communities.
- Bad for local economies.
- Furthers economic inequality.
- Unfair contracts for suppliers.
- ...and so many more maladies!!
