Prince Charles meets Grow Organic

A right royal do

'Well, it makes a nice change from barrowing manure!' said Shahnaz Begum, as she prepared to meet the Duchess and the Prince of Wales during their visit to Hackney City Farm in east London.  

Shahnaz, programme worker with local charity Bradford Community Environment Project, was in London to help celebrate the 30 years of hard work done by the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, of which the Prince is a patron.

BCEP delegates

During the visit the royal couple met a number of representatives from farm and garden projects from across the country, including a delegation from BCEP's Grow Organic programme.  The other lucky delegates were Shabnam Bhatti (participant) and Jane Robinson (Team Leader).

In front of Their Royal Highnesses and delegates from other community gardens and city farms, brave Shabnam explained how she had become involved in the allotment project, and how much benefit she derives from it.  On hearing that she had often watched the couple on TV, the Prince was quick to quip: 'I hope the real thing is not a disappointment!'

Prince Charles was particularly keen to hear about how children were becoming involved in projects like Grow Organic.  He said he was delighted to hear about successful community farm and garden projects nationwide which were telling children where their food came from and helping them to reconnect with the soil.

He added that he was concerned about 'the speed at which we have shut down so many school farms and school gardens in this country.  There were so many that used to have them. I have battled to try to ensure the retention of the remaining ones but also the introduction of new ones.  It is remarkable how you can link so much of the curriculum to the work that goes on there.'

Jane Robinson said the visit, which took place last Wednesday (6 May), gave a great boost to her team's work.  'Prince Charles' passion for organic growing is well-known, and it was great to see him take such a keen interest in what organisations like BCEP are doing to encourage local food production in schools and within urban communities'.   

BCEP and the other FCFCG members present had contributed to 'Chillies and Roses', a good practice guide promoting the involvement of Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups in city farms and community gardens.  As a reminder of the acclaimed report and their visit to the Farm, Their Royal Highnesses were presented with a rose bush and chilli plants.  

See Press release on the Prince of Wales website: Click here