A PROJECT offering opportunities to grow and learn about fruit, vegetables and plants was made able to work all year round, thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Burnley-based Pennine Lancashire Community Farm was given £9,191 to install two portable cabins.

The community farm’s allotments are used by residents who don’t have their own garden to come together and have space to grow their own produce.

James Horsford, project manager, said: “It is not just an allotment, it is a place where people can come to be with nature and learn different skills in a safe environment.

“We have regular groups who come down every week, from people with learning disabilities, substance abuse users, people with mental health problems, young offenders, to local children and unemployed young people.”

Volunteers who attend have the opportunity to learn new skills and can complete an NVQ in horticulture.

The Community Gardens act as a community meeting place for local families to work together learning how to grow fruit and vegetables and find out about nature, farm life and the natural environment.

Mr Horsford said: “In the summer months it is lovely to be working outside but in the winter it can be so cold and wet that some of the groups can’t come.

“To have an inside space that is dry and warm is really going to benefit the project. It will allow the groups to still come down and take part, even in the bad weather.

“When the cabins have been refurbished and insulated, we will be able to work all year round.”

  • To apply for a grant you will need to be a community group, not for profit group, parish or town council, health body or school. You do not have to be a registered charity to apply.

Groups must have a bank account that requires at least two people to sign each cheque or withdrawal and you must be in a position to use the grant within one year.

Applications are available from Community Foundation for Lancashire at lancsfoundation.org.uk or call 0151 2322444 to get a paper copy.