A free community Mela, being held at a Leicester school this weekend, is expected to draw crowds and help raise funds for a new community garden at the site.
The event, which is being held at Avanti Fields School this Saturday (April 29), between 11am and 4pm, will feature a number of fun activities, including musical Bangra performances, stalls and a large funfair.
A ‘powerful and inspirational’ documentary called ‘The Seeds of Vandana Shiva’ will also be shown on the day.
The Mela is being hosted by the award winning Priti Raichura Events, with the aim of raising funds for a new community garden/allotment at the school, which sits in Hamilton.
“We’re hoping there’ll be lots of fun on the day and that the weather will be kind, drawing lots of people to the event,” said Dipak Patel, trustee of the PTFA at Avanti Fields School.
“It’ll be a great opportunity to tell people about our plans for the new garden – to take people to the plot and show them what the project is all about,” he added. “We want them to be part of the journey.”
Avanti Fields School is looking to build a 400 metre garden for the community to enjoy.
The garden would act as a learning environment for children as well as a dedicated outdoor area for pupils with SEN needs.
From a wider community perspective, the project will also encourage members of the local community to participate through gardening clubs and hours which would promote their physical and mental wellbeing.
Having secured the funding for the majority of the infrastructure works needed for the garden/allotment area, The Avanti Fields PTFA, which is spearheading the project, is now seeking additional funding to route a water tap closer to the location of the garden, plus equipment, plants, seeds and tools.
“It will be a quiet community space, which will bring great benefits to all who use it,” said Mr Patel.
“Children will be able to plant seeds and learn where food comes from, and there will be a number of raised planters for people with disabilities. It is hoped that the works will start in July and be completed by the start of the new term.”
Visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/avanti-fields-community-garden-allotment-project-1 to find out more.
