On Friday 13th March and Saturday 14th March over 60 people attended the planting of the new Jam Grove outside the Centre of Lifelong Learning in Westwood. The Vice Chancellor planted the first tree then staff, students and local residents helped to plant various edible trees and shrubs including quince, plum, gooseberry and rhubarb.

All are welcome to enjoy the space and it is planned to be used for educational activities for local residents, schools, staff and students to change perceptions and raise awareness about the environment.

Dr Fergus Mckay, Director of CLL commented, ‘This year the University is celebrating its 50^th anniversary but it is also the 30^th anniversary of the Centre for Lifelong Learning. Over the past 3 decades CLL has provided a diverse range of opportunities for thousands of adults to reengage with education and many hundreds have successfully progressed onto further study at Warwick. I am delighted we have been selected as a location for a Jam Grove which will provide a wonderful place for our learners to sit, talk, study and eat. The Jam Grove is also metaphorically / symbolically linked to the work of CLL which no doubt we will explore with our students!’

As the University expands and develops new buildings it is important to maximise and promote the use of green spaces across campus. These areas are important for teaching, learning and wellbeing and enhance the Warwick experience. There are several student societies already involved in growing food and conserving woodland and the Jam Grove is to be a part of a wider project to promote staff and students to be involved in landscape projects and build links with the local community. It is hoped to develop other sites and the Jam Grove will be part of an Edible Trail across campus. We are looking for volunteers to help with the project so if you would like to be involved please contact J.Kilgallon@warwick.ac.uk

The overall concept relates to the successful Grow Warwick Campaign which used the arts to imagine what ‘growing local’ might mean in the West Midlands. It proposed imaginative ways to increase public knowledge about how our food is produced and to encourage changes in attitudes and behaviour around issues of food.