Veg Out in Barney, which consists of a People’s Garden at the Hub, in Shaw Bank, and a variety of vegetable, fruit and herb planters dotted around the town, has been given an “outstanding” award from the RGS Britain-in-Bloom scheme.
The award came as a shock to Veg Out in Barney founder Dr Ann Barmby, who still does not know who nominated the project and only vaguely remembers there might have been a judge visit the People’s Garden
The award arrived in the post last week, after Dr Barmby had dismissed an invite to the Britain-in-Bloom award prize-giving because she had no idea they were part of it.
She said: “I just declined. I thought they had invited us randomly. I didn’t know we had won anything. I think it is fantastic and I am really proud, but the process of how we got there, I really don’t know. It was a big surprise really.”
She remains unsure but thinks the Britain-in-Bloom judge, Tony Smith, visited the People’s Garden during its opening on May 19.
There were many people at the opening including Rotarians, who back the project, volunteers, people living with dementia who are invited to explore and do a spot of gardening, well-wishers and people simply interested in the project. Dr Barmby said: “I did not know he was a judge. I obviously talked to this person. Everyone asks me about the garden and I just rabbit on. On that day there was a lot going on, so I think it was in the middle of that really.”
Whatever the case, Mr Smith was impressed with what he saw and heard because his report sings the praises of Veg Out in Barney, which was first established in March 2013.
His report said: “Produce is supplied to outlets across the town which includes local charities and homes for the aged. Townsfolk are encouraged to help themselves to the wide range of vegetables and fruit available, fresh from the soil and boxes. All this work is undertaken by the trio – Dr Barmby, her husband Tony and volunteer Graham Moore – with occasional help from children and a few transient volunteers.
“The quality and volume of produce created is truly astounding.”
He was also impressed that the People’s Garden was established on a piece of wasteland that often flooded.
As well as helping the local dementia group and offering a place for people to do a spot of gardening, the People’s Garden presented activities over the summer for children.
Artists Holly Brown and Anna Shaw were called in to host the sessions.
Dr Barmby said she hoped in the near future to secure additional cash to present weekend activities for children and weekday sessions for older people.
Veg Out in Barney played an integral role during Barnard Castle’s 1940s weekend taking over a garden island and filling it with plants that would have been used for purposes such as eating, medication and dyeing during the Second World War.
Previously Veg Out in Barney has won two community awards presented by Rotary, has received a commendation from Rotary International and Mr Moore has won a Paul Harris Award for his volunteering work for the project.
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