by June Greensmith, HUG chairman
For 10 years, Hornsea Urban Gardeners has worked tirelessly to make our town greener, brighter and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.
What began as a one-woman mission grew to a small group of determined volunteers and has now grown into a wonderful team of 30 volunteers caring for more than 20 plots across Hornsea, including an allotment.
Our volunteers plant, weed, prune, water, clear, sweep and litter-pick and supply Hornsea Pantry with fresh organically grown vegetables. We also raise the money needed to buy plants, compost, fertiliser, equipment and other materials. During long, hot and dry periods, we carry hundreds of litres of water to keep the displays and vegetables alive.
We do it because we love Hornsea and take pride in the place we call home.
But now we need your help, whether you have lived here all your life or have recently made Hornsea your home.
“Hornsea is only as good as those who are prepared to love it.”
Although we have a fantastic team, many of us are getting older. I will be 75 in December, and several of the volunteers who helped establish HUG ten years ago are also ten years older. We remain as committed as ever, but none of us can keep going indefinitely.
Budget pressures also mean the council simply cannot carry out every job as frequently as it once did. HUG cannot take responsibility for routine council maintenance, but there is still a great deal volunteers can safely and legitimately do to help keep our adopted plots and community spaces looking cared for.
We are not asking anyone to give up entire days or make a huge commitment. If enough people offered just two hours a month, it would make an enormous difference.
You don’t need to be an experienced gardener, have specialist knowledge or extraordinary strength. There are jobs to suit different ages and abilities, and our experienced volunteers will always help you get started.
Perhaps you could weed a planter, deadhead flowers, sweep around a plot, collect litter, help with watering or join one of our working sessions. You might prefer fundraising, publicity, refreshments or helping with some of the organising behind the scenes. Every contribution matters.
You can volunteer regularly, occasionally or simply when you have a little spare time. There is no pressure and no judgement, just a friendly group of people working together, with plenty of laughter along the way.
HUG has never belonged to one person or one small group. It belongs to Hornsea. Its future depends upon more residents stepping forward to help carry it into its second decade.
If you appreciate the gardens and planters, enjoy seeing Hornsea filled with colour, or simply want to do something positive for your community, please consider joining us.
Two hours may not seem much, but added to the time given by others, it could help protect everything our volunteers have created over the past decade.
Hornsea Urban Gardeners needs you.
Please contact me on 07713 476608 if you would like to join us, learn more, or simply come along and see what we do. You will be made very welcome.
