Dig For Victory
IntroductionOne month on from the outbreak of the Second World War, the Ministry of Agriculture launched the 'Dig for Victory' campaign. From this point on, folk on the 'home front' were encouraged to transform their private gardens into mini-allotments. It was hoped that this would not only provide essential food for families, but help the war effort by freeing up valuable space for war materials on the merchant shipping convoys.
Over just a few months, gardens, flowerbeds and parkland were dug up to grow food. By 1943, over a million tons of vegetables were being grown in gardens and allotments.
Here's an information film from the original Dig For Victory campaign
link.
Today, our call to 'Dig For Victory' is a tongue in cheek campaign to get folk involved in their backgreens and in doing so, their local community. We also believe that an effort to grow food locally (whether in backgreens, allotments or from veg box schemes) will have a positive impact upon the challenges of climate change.
ECBA will be working throughout the year to support folk to install raised beds in their backgreens and teach them how to grow. The ways you can get involved are described below. You can also print out a copy of the poster and display it where folk can see it to promote the cause.
Grow Your OwnBy growing our own food or by buying locally grown food, we dramatically reduce the 'food miles' which contribute to climate change. Running a small raised bed or a larger allotment is also great for your health and wellbeing. ECBA are offering a 'Grow Your Own' course which teaches folk all they need to know, and give them additional support to get them started. Find out
more >Community BackgreensWe support residents around tenement squares to set up community groups and plan for the regeneration of their backgreens. If you would like to join your local group, or to set up a new one, have a look
here >Backgreen BlitzWe support several volunteer groups which meet every Saturday across the city to regenerate tenement backgreens into beautiful community greenspaces. If you would like to join your local group look
here >If you have any other questions
get in touch >