Charity project grows out of former flumes

The former Beau Sejour flumes were removed in 2014 due to the high maintenance costs and declining interest. Charity Edible Guernsey took on the pipes to make beds, however the project stalled.

Now the group has been relaunched with a new team, but still with the same aim of encouraging sustainable and self-sufficient food production.

The group is holding its first ‘Get Your Hands Dirty’ Day on Monday.

The project is based at a glasshouse site in St Peter’s and the day will see a variety of jobs on offer for islanders to help out with.

The flume parts have been at the glasshouse for several years, waiting to be converted. The new team are now keen to move forward.

Volunteer and retired builder Rob Cooper is helping to co-ordinate re-using the fibreglass sections.

While the smaller green ones can be made into troughs, the larger blue sections are destined to become growing beds.

Mr Cooper said creating the beds was important, as it made growing more accessible for people who could not bend down.

‘We can have wheelchairs around them,’ Mr Cooper said.

‘It’s perfect for that. We are going to put down a hard base and then they can plant things like radishes, lettuces and beetroots – things that are not too big. And then they can harvest them themselves.’

He said the pipes were quite easy to handle.

‘It’s about using what is available,’ he said.

There will be a number of other projects as well for islanders to help out with.

These include planting out the newly-donated raspberry plants, setting up irrigation lines, weeding and prepping areas in the community garden for growing.

There will be refreshments and cakes and cakes on offer.

Volunteers should wear clothes they do not mind getting dirty and can also bring any useful tools they might want to use, such as gloves and spades.

The event starts at 11am on Monday at the glasshouse, which is in Rue Des Heches – narrow lane off the main road, just to the west of Passiflora corner.