arts residencies

‘All good things are wild and free’
David Henry Thoreau

I’m interested in urban Permaculture and finding solutions to the challenge of producing food in the city. I plan to find existing fruit trees in Erdington in gardens, on waste land or planted on common ground and to harvest, process and distribute the excess fruit which often goes to waste. I am also exploring the idea of planting new urban orchards on different sites in the area and reviving orchard traditions like wassailing, a celebration to promote a good apple harvest.

I have been exploring Erdington over the last couple of months, getting to know the area and the people who live and work here. I am based at Kingstanding Leisure Centre with a remit to work in the Erdington ward, over 90,000 people at the last count.

My investigations so far have included a guided tour of ‘Erdo’ as the locals call it, with the Arts Forum group. They led me to all kinds of interesting local beauty spots and I was able to harvest some Elderflowers to make my first batch of foraged urban free food- ‘Erdo Elderflower Cordial!’ I presented a talk about my work to the Arts Forum group and hope to be working with them more as the project develops.

I also took part in the Kingstanding Recycling Day and had fun apple bobbing with lots of local children. I began the process of mapping fruit trees by asking visitors to pinpoint locations of fruit trees in local gardens on a large pin board map.

On Sunday October 24th there will be an Apple Day taking place at Kingstanding Leisure Centre, watch this space for more details soon.

I will be looking for people to help care for the new orchards and to harvest, process and distribute local fruit as the project develops and for people with excess fruit growing in their gardens. Get in touch if you want to help by emailing: eleanorhoad@hotmail.com

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