Bailiff leads the celebration of first 40 years of Grow

Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon led the impromptu sing-along at the charity’s birthday open day yesterday.

‘From small seeds Grow has grown into something incredible,’ he said. ‘I echo everything that’s been said about the patrons and the level of support that they’ve given to allow this to come to fruition.’

He asked the crowd to imagine a parallel universe where the charity did not exist.

‘We’d have to think what the position in 2024 would be for the crew? What would they be doing, what opportunities would they have, if Grow didn’t exist? Grow is all about fulfilling that potential and about being good members of our community.’

Current chairman Mark Dunster said the charity planned to double the number of crew members working on site. At the moment it helps more than six times the number who had been involved with the charity when it opened its doors 40 years ago.

‘With this year marking Grow’s 40 years, we celebrate 40 years of making minds fuller and richer, bringing our community together around such an important mission and doing it all with a smile,’ he said.

‘We look forward to supporting Grow in the years to come and seeing what the organisation goes on to achieve whatever the future holds.’

He also read out a message from patrons Guy and Julia Hands, who apologised for their absence.

‘We feel honoured to be part of this incredible organisation’s journey,’ they said.

‘This last year has been one of many milestones and it is fantastic to see Grow thriving in its wonderful redeveloped space and doing what it does best, providing life-changing opportunities to those on the island with learning disabilities.’

Patrick Palmer, who was involved with Grow from its inception, and was the charity’s chairman from 2000 to 2018, talked about the history of the charity from its launch in 1984 by the late Maurice Lihou, to provide a safe working environment for adults with learning disabilities, the many people who had passed through the doors, to the incredible array of plants they had grown, including at one time being the greatest producer of tomatoes in the island, and giant cabbages whose stalks they had made into walking sticks.

‘I was involved with Grow for over 30 years and it was a great privilege to be involved in such a worthwhile charity,’ he said.

‘It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the crew developed both skills and confidence when they were working as part of the Grow team.

‘I’m sure Maurice would be as impressed as I am with this wonderful new facility, and I’m sure this now sets Grow in very good stead for the next 40 years.’