Edible High Town community gardeners
The Edible High Town community gardeners look after 9 little pocket gardens including an orchard. All plots are within a short walk from Luton Railway Station. People of all ages and abilities come together to grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers for all to share.
Summary
Volunteer here to help look after the little pocket garden strewn across the High Town ward of Luton. Together, we weed, sow, grow, mulch and water the gardens and keep them looking colourful and attractive to people and pollinators. We can tailor activities to different abilities and you can get hands-on experience with gardening tasks as well as share your knowledge.
Across our gardens, you can:
discover High Town's pocket parks
grow flowers and organic fruit and vegetables
learn about wildlife, horticulture and sustainability
get to meet other people, and nurture and grow friendships
Meet at the High Town Peace Garden, LU2 0BW.
Getting here
Address
We meet at the Peace Garden and then walk to one or several of our other plots, depending on what needs doing each week.
The Peace Garden is located behind the High Town Methodist Church, LU2 0BW. Access it from the footpath between High Town Road and Wenlock Street next to 48 High Town Road and the Methodist Church.
We have gardens in Albion Court, Boyle Close, Edward Street, High Town Road, People's Park and Wenlock Street.
Walking
Most people walk to the site. Our meeting point is a 5-minute walk from Luton main railway and bus stations.
Public transport
The bus station and main Railway station are a 5-minute walk away with connections across Luton. Nearest bus stop is Berkley Path, served by bus route 14.
Parking
The closest public car park is on Wenlock Street.
Checking up on our spinach bed at Edward Street garden
Topping up the beds with compost on Burr Street Square
Gourd and coriander are growing at the Boyle Close garden
Opening times
Gardening sessions run in most weather all year round every:
Friday 10:30am to 12:30pm
Volunteers can stay for as long or as little as they like during the session. Sometimes we go to a cafe afterwards.
Costs
Activities are free.
All tools are provided but you're welcome to bring your own gardening gloves.
Who can join activities here?
Anyone can join the gardening sessions. Volunteers come from many different communities in Luton, and are a mix of genders.
Families and children are welcome, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible guardian or parent, who will be responsible for them.
There are usually between 3 and 8 people joining a session and on most days, there are 2 members of staff leading the group.
Facilities
There are no toilet facilities at the gardens, but gardeners are permitted to use the unisex toilet at a nearby cafe.
Accessibility
One member of staff speaks British Sign Language, so this activity may be suitable for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and use BSL.
Most gardens have some step-free access, but the ground is uneven and can be muddy and wet. Contact us to discuss specific access needs.
Carers or support workers are welcome to accompany the person they work with.
How to sign up
Taster sessions
If you'd prefer, you are welcome to try the activities for a day before you complete the simple registration form.
We'll then ask you to complete the Edible High Town volunteer registration form online.
About the staff
Staff are First Aid trained and the project coordinator is DBS-checked.
Languages
In addition to English, the gardener speaks British Sign Language and the project coordinator speaks German and basic French.
Good to know
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Bring a hat in summer and wrap up warm in winter.
There's a WhatsApp group to keep everyone up to date, for example if the session is called off due to weather (or volunteers meet for a coffee instead).
Bring your own gardening gloves if you can, but we always have some spare.
A winter morning at the orchard in People's Park
“I moved to this area a year ago and didn't know anybody. Now I've met so many people and feel much more connected.”
More about Edible High Town
Inspired by the Incredible Edible movement, Edible High Town has been a community gardening group in the High Town ward of Luton since 2016. They look after 9 little patches on public land.
They bring people of all ages together to:
create small gardens in public spaces
get outside and meet their neighbours
grow fruit and veg, and share the produce
learn how to sow, grow, prune and compost
Partner role: provider of nature-based activities
Edible High Town website
Still have a question?
For general questions about this activity, contact the Luton Health and Nature Partnership.
Alternatively, contact the Edible High Town project coordinator directly at ediblehightown@gmail.com.