A GROUP of volunteers working in Wirral's iconic Birkenhead Park will be celebrating community food growing as part of a nationwide initiative later this month.

The Friends of Birkenhead Park are inviting volunteers to join them for a special event as part of national Good to Grow Week. Running from  April 22 to April 29, its aim is to promote edible gardens and encourage people to volunteer and get involved with nature in their local areas.

The volunteers at Edward Kemp Community Garden on Ashville Road in Birkenhead are inviting the public to join in the celebrations on Wednesday, April 24. The aim is to support biodiversity, foster community connections, and promote engagement with nature.

A spokesperson for The Friends of Birkenhead Park said: "Visitors to the garden are encouraged to explore various activities such as learning about local wildlife protection, meeting neighbours, acquiring new skills, and even having the opportunity to cultivate their own food.

Wirral Globe: Friends of Birkenhead Park volunteers at workFriends of Birkenhead Park volunteers at work (Image: Sheila Blair-Lea / Friends of Birkenhead Park)"They will have the chance to tour the different plots, common areas, poly tunnel, and greenhouse.

"Volunteers will be available to chat, and complimentary hot or cold drinks will be provided."

Located adjacent to Birkenhead Park, the Garden is easily accessible by bus, train, or car. Opening its gates from 10.30am. to 1pm, the Garden has transformed from Wirral Education playing fields into a Green Oasis since its establishment in 2011.

Featuring sensory, herb, flower, and wild garden areas, along with two natural ponds, the Garden is blossoming, with the fruit route displaying early signs of promise.

Wirral Globe: Friends of Birkenhead Park volunteersFriends of Birkenhead Park volunteers (Image: Sheila Blair-Lea / Friends of Birkenhead Park)Good to Grow Good to Grow is an online platform to support food growing in the UK, run by the food and farming charity Sustain.

It was initiated by Capital Growth, London’s largest food growing network and a project of Sustain, in London in 2012. With help from the Sustainable Food Places network and the Veg Cities campaign, hundreds of gardens all over the UK are involved this year.

Rachel Dring, Capital Growth Coordinator, remarks, "Every year Good to Grow Week sees hundreds of food gardens open their gates to welcome the community in.

"It’s a great way to kickstart the growing season, recruit new volunteers, and raise awareness about the value of food growing for wellbeing, community connection, and nature."

Wirral Globe: Friends of Birkenhead Park Friends of Birkenhead Park (Image: Sheila Blair-Lea / Friends of Birkenhead Park)