Well what a year it has been. So many splendid and amazing things have happened and the Growhampton project has blossomed into something really quite remarkable. As the year draws to a close it’s almost unbelievable to think all the way back in February we installed our polytunnel and things have been non stop ever since! Let’s have a quick recap of some of the year’s highlights.

In March we planted our very first spinach and lettuce seeds with students. Before we knew it, May arrived and The Hive Cafe opened to a wonderful sunny reception. May was topped off with a joint win at the Chelsea Flower Show alongside the NUS and other universities.

June was a little bit crazy for us as The Feel Good Bakery’s delicious sandwiches became available in The Hive Cafe and we launched our farmers’ market and started blogging for the Wandsworth Guardian.

Then we prepared for term time and as the students arrived in mid-September, off we went with our weekly gardening sessions and an expanded market day offering with handmade breads, thrift shop, bike mechanic sessions, live music and weekly veggie bags. October was also very special as we won the Soil Association’s Organic Eating Out Award.. 

As we wrapped up the end of this term, we put together a very special Winter Wonderland Christmas market along with food and entertainment. This capped off perfectly what has been a most fantastic year. The centrepiece of the market was our beautiful upcycled Christmas tree made from recycled materials and beautiful Poinsettia plants. Due to their beautiful colours, Poinsettias are of course synonymous with Christmas time and make a beautiful addition to any festive decorations. The tree towered above the market and featured 300 of the beautiful plants which were supplied to us as part of Stars for Europe and funding from the EU - we are thankful for this kind contribution. At the end of our market, we dismantled the tree and gave away all 300 of these beautiful plants to staff and students to spread the Poinsettia Christmas cheer around for all.

On behalf of the Growhampton team and everyone at The University of Roehampton, I’d like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a fabulous festive season. Thanks kindly for your support if you have followed our blog this year and we look forward to being with you again next year for more great adventures.

Joel
Joel Williams is the Grower for the University of Roehampton Students’ Union’s Growhampton project