WITH A growing demand for allotments in the Abergavenny and surrounding area and a lack of green space available a group of residents are hoping to set up a community garden.

A meeting is taking place on June 7 at 7pm at Mulberry House where Abergavenny Climate Action will discuss the provision of allotments and community gardens for the Bryn y Cwm area.

Katie Jones from the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens - a national organisation that supports community groups in establishing new ventures - will hold a discussion and a workshop.

Laurie Jones of Abergavenny Climate Action said, "One of the objective of establishing a community garden to look at the production of food as families will have to be more self reliant in the future.

"An allotment is an individual commitment but a community garden will enable people to work together and grow produce that can be sold."

Representing Gilwern and the Bryn y Cwm Forum, June Gwillym said, "We have pursued farmers, the health board, British Waterways and Brecon Beacon National Park in the hope they know of any land that can be used for the garden."

Monmouthshire County Council is also backing the idea of a community gardening in the area, Tom James, Area Services Officer for Bryn y Cwm said, "Interest in community gardens has grown since the TV programme with chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Seedy Sunday in the town where the community swapped seeds proved how much people are interested in maintaining a garden.

"So we want everyone who is interested to come along to the meeting to help us set up a steering group to take this forward."

Anyone who knows of any land that can be used for a community garden or would like further information, should speak to the organisers at the meeting on June 7 at 7pm in Mulberry House or contact Laurie Jones on 01873 851299, Tom James on 01873 735807 or June Gwillym on 01873 821445.