The day, held at Penrith Methodist Church, featured Penrith’s cherished Community Gardeners’ seed and plant swap and Freegle’s brilliant waste-prevention function of give what you no longer need and take what you need.   A huge volume of gardening stuff, from pots and planters to books and tools, and seeds to saplings, changed hands.  

PACT was especially pleased to host three inspiring talks:  Bron Thomas from the National Trust’s Acorn Bank, speaking on Perennial Veg; Lizzy Benn from Cumbria Wildlife Trust speaking on Wilder Ponds; and Elizabeth Woodcock of Close to the Earth speaking on Planting for Pollinators.  The talks were followed by Gardeners Question Time, with a panel of Bron Thomas, Elizabeth Woodcock and horticultural lecturer Shelagh Todd, addressing gardening queries and sharing their extensive knowledge and experience.   

Throughout the event, visitors were able to browse the stalls provided by Eden Rivers Trust, Garden Organic, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, North Cumbria Orchard Group, Penrith Allotment Association and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.  There was also a tool sharpening stall all day, with two experts busy maintaining people’s gardening tools.  Younger guests were entertained with storytelling.  And everyone was treated to refreshments that included home-baked cakes and a selection of homemade vegetable soups.  

PACT chair, Christine Sutherland, was extremely pleased with the day, “We had a great attendance, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The talks were really informative, and our visitors left with more knowledge and inspiration and better equipped to garden for food, nature and sheer pleasure”.

PACT would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the speakers and stallholders and to all the volunteers who helped make the event such a success, especially the industrious tool-sharpeners and the caterers who provided and served the delicious cakes and soups.