Scarborough Library Blooms with New Seed HubScarborough Library Blooms with New Seed Hub Scarborough Library in North Yorkshire is not just a place to borrow books anymore. It has launched a community seed hub called “Grow,” encouraging visitors to pick up free seeds while they’re there. The initiative aims to help residents grow their own food, flowers, and herbs, fostering food security and creating a sense of community. Darren Mancrief, co-chairman of Grow, believes the seed hub will be an asset to the town and a source of connection. The hub offers a variety of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, accompanied by resources on growing and seed saving. The library also has books and online information on gardening. Executive member for libraries, Councillor Simon Myers, emphasizes the benefits of growing one’s own food, such as cost savings, waste reduction, and wildlife support. Councillor Liz Colling, who contributed funding to the project, sees the hub as a platform for sharing resources within the community. She encourages residents to participate and support the initiative. The Grow Scarborough seed hub is a unique and innovative way to promote gardening, sustainability, and community engagement. It aligns with Scarborough Library’s mission to provide resources and foster creativity and growth in the lives of its patrons.
Image caption, Scarborough Library now offers free seeds alongside books Article information
- Author, Katharine Wootton
- Role, BBC News
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3 minutes ago
A library in North Yorkshire is helping grow more than just imaginations, having launched a new community seed hub.
Voluntary group Grow is leading the venture at Scarborough Library, encouraging visitors to pick up free seeds when they come in to borrow books.
The aim is to help residents grow their own food, flowers and herbs with the help of other library resources and a free online app.
Darren Mancrief, founder and co-chairman of Grow, which runs a community garden in the town, said the bank would help bring people together and “create resilience through food security”.
Image source, North Yorkshire Council
Image caption, Grow Scarborough co-chairman Darren Mancrief has been showing visitors like Athenkosi Nyengane how the seed hub works
Mr Mancrief said: “The seed hub will allow locals to get hold of free vegetable, herb, and flower seeds to take home, grow and enjoy.
“They can also donate seeds to the hub, which is integral to its success.
“We think the hub will be a real asset to our community.”
There will be resources in the hub for growing and seed saving, as well as an extensive collection of books and information in the main library and online.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for libraries, Councillor Simon Myers, said: “The hub will be a huge asset to the community.
“Growing your own food can save you money, reduce waste and support local wildlife.”
Councillor Liz Colling, who represents the Falsgrave and Stepney division on North Yorkshire Council, provided £300 of her locality budget to Grow Scarborough.
She said: “The hub is all about sharing what we have with those in our community.
“As a keen vegetable grower, I shall be making use of the seeds available and donating others.
“I would urge everyone in the area to get involved and support this worthwhile venture.”
