Warren Carter

In November 2011 the building we used as an outdoor classroom was burnt to the ground.  For the past 17 months we have been busy working on a new timber framed building using locally coppiced wood and the frame is now up! We have used sweet chestnut for the majority of the frame. This is abundant in Sussex and has excellent durability and strength with hand made oak pegs to hold it together. The walls will be built using a variety of… Read More »ECO BUILDING BEGINS TO RISE AT THE GARDEN

The past year has brought significant developments in our compost-making activities at the Forest Garden. Because we are endeavouring to grow food crops organically on a particularly challenging soil, with a very thin layer of earthy material above solid chalk, we have a very pressing need for getting as much organic matter into our growing areas as we can. Back in 2010, we became a recognised Community Composting location as part of a city-wide initiative promoted by Brighton and Hove… Read More »COMPOST KING

This is always a busy time of year from BrightonPermaculture Trust (BPT) when plans for orchard planting come to fruition. This year they have been particularly busy in Moulsecoomb. First it was The Keep where the local vicar came up with the great idea that what would really compliment the new historical records building would be an orchard of old fashioned Sussex fruit trees. A year later children from Moulsecoomb Primary and Brighton Aldridge Community Academywere braving the freezing weather… Read More »CHEERS TO BRIGHTON PERMACULTURE TRUST

Volunteering at Moulsecoomb Forest Garden Project isn’t just about gardening. Working with us is the perfect opportunity to learn about outdoor education – using nature as a way of teaching pupils, especially effective for those that struggle in the classroom.Nancy Walker started as a volunteer with us five years ago when she was at the University of Sussex; within two years she was asked to be on our management committee and is now employed by the garden as a sessional… Read More »VOLUNTEERING AT THE FOREST GARDEN

This article which appeared in the Brighton Argus Soapbox was in reply to one about Moulsecoomb being a food desert So apparently Moulsecoomb is a food desert? It’s true that if pop to the local shops you’re unlikely to find fresh baked bread or some decent fruit and vegetables. But does that make Moulsecoomb the Sahara? Well I think Moulsecoomb is leading in the way in the City in producing fruit and vegetables. A new orchard has just been planted… Read More »MOULSECOOMB NOT A FOOD DESERT

Brighton’s green credentials have received a fresh boost with Moulsecoomb Forest Garden and Wildlife Project (MFGWP) becoming the regional training hub and demonstration site for community composting.  Local award-winning charity MFGWP is one of twelve ‘Hubs’ in a training network across England for the Community Composting for Local Food project. MFGWP won the contract to deliver training, advice, equipment loan and support services to local groups in the area who are growing fresh fruit and vegetables and want to grow… Read More »BRIGHTON LEADS THE WAY ON COMPOSTING

Press Release A management plan for a forgotten woodland hopes to bring the local community and school pupils together to enjoy the unique resource on their doorstep. Westlain Belt woodland shelters the new Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, the Bridge Community Centre, and part of residential East Moulsecoomb. The Belt also marks both the boundary of the new South Downs National Park and the boundary of the built-up area of Brighton.  ‘…The fallen hulks of two century old beeches; ghostly white… Read More »WESTLAIN BELT : A MONUMENT TO BEECH

Over eight hundred children from different schools across the city came to the sixth Heritage and Environment Festival at Moulsecoomb Primary School. Pupils got to do everything from making WWII potato pancakes from ration book recipes (made a lot more edible with a dollop of jam from the schools cherry plum trees), brass rubbing, bug hunting, weaving, archaeological digs, fire making, neolithic hut reconstruction, wattling, carving, sheep herding and dressing up as a Lewes Priory monk. There was also a… Read More »MOULSECOOMB PRIMARY HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT FESTIVAL

Our last session with pupils from the Swan Centre ended in the kitchens. Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery funded Harvest project we have been busy since February transforming the outside space at the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy and it was time to try out the produce. We boiled two different varieties of potatoes, added some sliced green onion tops and mayonnaise and then decided which variety we liked best. We even offered some finely chopped chocolate mint to… Read More »FROM SPADE TO SPOON

At the beginning of every school year Moulsecoomb Primary Year 1 pupils visit the forest garden to plant garlic and hunt around for bugs and food. But this isn’t a one off environmental message, the school ethos is all about outside learning. Both Year 1 teachers have a small space outside their classes where they grow food and one has even planted a wildflower meadow which is fighting with the dandelions for attention. They’ve had lessons on everything from composting… Read More »WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT MOULSECOOMB PRIMARY?