Cultivating community
Tucked away just a short walk from the city centre, Hogacre Common Eco Park is a special place where food, nature, and community come together.
When I arrived the session with a Year 3 class from a local primary school was in full swing. The children, their teacher, and helpers from both the school and the allotment project were dotted around the garden. Some were watering potatoes planted in hay bales made from the meadow beyond the fence, others were planting up a bed with neat rows, and some picking berries.
Tasks are discussed in the classroom before the group comes out and shares the work – with everyone getting stuck in.
A warm welcome at Hogacre
It was great to speak with Deborah and Laura, two of the organisers, who shared how the project had developed so much over only a few months. They spoke of how the children had quickly settled from their first visit to the current atmosphere of meaningful engagement in all the activity on offer. Each listened well to what jobs were on the list before getting on with the task at hand with the support of the team. The teacher shared with us that the class was known to be on the energetic side, but he was so pleased with the impact that the sessions were having for all those taking part.
Nurturing skills and growing knowledge
One of the most inspiring things about the Hogacre project is the emphasis on sustainability and learning. Deborah recalled that during the children’s first visit a rainwater storage system was being put into place. Watching the installation of the water butts the children thought about the water coming off the roof and into the gutters and pipes – but how did water get up on the roof? This understanding of the precious nature of the rainwater has led to some careful and considered watering of the crops growing in the garden.
While I was visiting picking redcurrants was a popular task – with many being scoffed immediately! The question, “Do these contain sugar?”, allowed for a conversation about fruit sugars and the contrast between these natural sugars and those that might be more harmful to health.
We problem-solved when a watering can was too heavy to lift to the height of the bales by pouring from one can to another and sharing the weight. These interactions allow for learning in the moment that can be understood and applied more widely.
A hidden gem
Due to the tucked away location of Hogacre and access via a footbridge over the railway line, the space isn’t as widely known in the local neighbourhood about as the team would like. Join open Community Allotment sessions at Hogacre on Tuesday mornings from 10am – they would love to see more central Oxford residents coming along. For more information visit https://www.hogacrecommon.org.uk/
Vicki Baker
Programme Manager, Well Together
Well Together is being delivered in partnership by OCVA and Community First Oxfordshire and has been funded by the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (NHS BOB ICB).