WWOOF UK has been a member of Garden Organic (GO) for a number of years and we were shocked when GO Trustees put its heart – Ryton Organic Gardens – on the market.
There was a big backlash from their members saying they hadn’t been consulted, the move made all the more appalling by the fact the ashes of Lawrence Hills, the 1954 founder, are scattered on site. Facebook group SaveRyton and hashtag #SaveRyton were created.
Since then GO has said the gardens cost a lot of money to maintain and that they feel their work should be more based on outreach and inclusivity to everyone – giving many the skills to grow organic food in their own space no matter how small – rather than maintaining a costly centralised hub which is only visited by the few. Read the latest communication from Chief Exec James Campbell here.
The Garden Organic AGM is on Friday 18th May and WWOOF UK, as a member, is eligible to attend.
- Do you know more than us?
- What do you think about this proposed change?
- Will you be going to the AGM?
Any feedback is very welcome – it can be left as a comment here on this page.
