TOWN CENTRE GARDENING
From flower pot making to seed sowing
A
rtist-gardener Ladybird Su has been commissioned by Appetite to encourage locals to get green-fingered as part of their Newcastle Common programme. Su is currently establishing her garden at 23 High Street, Newcastle. Members of the public are invited to visit Artist Gardener for the Growing Season Su at her garden on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, during themed weeks up until October half term. There will always be the chance to get involved, with activities including flower pot making and seed sowing. In weeks when Ladybird Su is away from her garden she will be giving hints and tips on social media, and asking people to share photographs of their gardens. Visitors are being encouraged to share their memories and gardening tips at the garden, or on social media using the hashtag #TakeAwayGarden. The remaining themed weeks throughout the residency include: 5 July - 11 July: Wimbledon Week Learn how to grow strawberry plants in beds of straw; 10 Aug - 16 Aug: National Allotment Week This time it s all about the veggies. Join Su for growing tips and create your own wildflower seed envelopes; 25 Oct - 29 Oct: October Half Term Prepare for the colder months by sowing winter veg and creating microsalads for the window sill. Appetite Director Gemma Thomas said: It is so exciting to be welcoming our third Newcastle Common artist-inresidence, Ladybird Su into the
town centre where members of the public can get involved with the hands-on activities, delivered in a Covid-safe way and in accordance to current government guidance. We are looking forward to people being able to take a piece of Newcastle Common home with them. We re hoping that Su s takeaway garden will be able to offer that to people faceto-face as well as online too through social media, which has also been a great source of community. We want to watch the seeds grow in peoples homes and gardens so will also be asking people to share images back with us on #TakeAwayGarden. This is an exciting residency for arts and culture to grow on high streets and in your home or garden; creating a sense of connection and community. Amy Williams, Newcastleunder-Lyme BID Manager, said: We are delighted to have yet another artist in residence confirmed for the Newcastle Common Project. Ladybird Su will be bringing some amazing activities for people to get involved with, including making flower pots and planting seeds. This is really something that all
the local community can enjoy whilst visiting the town. It is really great to see one of the previously empty units being put to such good use in the town and we cannot wait to see the Newcastle Common project go from strength to strength in the coming months. Appetite, in partnership with Newcastle BID, announced the Newcastle Common project earlier this year. It is a programme focused on the changing Newcastle-underLyme town centre, transforming empty shops and the high street into places of art and creativity. Ladybird Su is Newcastle Common s third artist-inresidence, joining contemporary artist Ian Mood and hat maker Holly Johnson. Newcastle Common will shortly be in place at 23 High Street and 12-14 Astley Walk. Appetite are looking for people to help them shape Newcastle Common through their Make Things Happen campaign and welcome anyone interested to get in touch. For more details visit http://appetite.org.uk or contact askus@appetitestoke.co.uk or call 01782 381373.
