Allotment · Fundraising

Dig for Denman & Educate a Blue Belle, One Veg at a Time!

Cambridge Blue Belles

Two years ago when the Blue Belles came to be, we were absolutely astonished to learn that we had our own college, Denman. Eager to educate ourselves and with the wealth of FABULOUS courses available, we planted an idea that blossomed into something that is both empowering and keeps us well fed – the Dig for Denman campaign. We would grow crops to sell at our general meetings – and ALL proceeds would become a Denman bursary.

We set about having our very own allotment (and only waited a total of two weeks for one to become available locally, when the usual waiting time in Cambridgeshire is years!), got together the growing experience of our families and friends (with a comprehensive seed spreadsheet compliments of our very own Secretary, Laura P), and got growing! We managed to adopt a shed from the Freecycle network, too! Our first year saw us yield sweet peas, rhubarb, parsnips, broad & runners, leeks, courgettes and above all, hours of time spent together in the sunshine digging for a great cause. We were also gifted a grant from NFWI that helped us to be compost, water butts and many a great gardening tool.

 

Photo by the very talented Dennis Stern

The best bit in all of this?! We’ve now raised enough funds for one of our Belles to go off to Denman on a  weekend residential course and hope to up our game this year by being able to provide two bursaries!

WI Life have recently featured our story amongst their pages – and we are absolutely THRILLED with the feedback we’ve had from other WIs – and hopes to inspire, too! Scroll through to previous posts here on the blog to get the full story!