Press

Friday 23 January

Chesunt and Waltham Mercury, Page 2

The Gunpowder Park in Waltham Abbey continues to be a hive of activity as a pair of intrepid pioneers have been creating a new focus for the community. Amy Plant and Ella Gibbs, collectively working under the name Pilot Publishing have been mobilizing local volunteers to create the Energy Cafe since autumn. The unique project has resulted in the creation of a facility offering local produce cooked using self sufficient, off grid methods and its first offering fried egg breakfasts were available this week. The duo have sourced produce locally from farms and allotments and harvested wild plants from the park. Ella said “We very ambitiously drew a six mile (10 kilometres) circle around the Gunpowder Park. Amy added “and we would love to hear from other people who know about food being grown in the area. Working from the humble beginnings of a rather soggy patch of grass within the Park off Sewardstone road, the first introduction was a horse box trailer.

After some donations from a local palette company and building firm, amoung others, and use of nearby willow, the team have been creating an idyllic, if eccentric, spot for the whole community to enjoy. “People have been amazingly generous.” Amy said. Volunteers are being invited to help put the finishing touches of the cafe over the next two weeks with a critical mass food search and sunset cook up on Feb 14th. Plus an energy college planned for half term. Amy told the Mercury: “if people would like to come forward we are open to workshops and presentations, for example if anyone wants to build a wind turbine or off grid stoves. Ella said “We want to involve as many people in the area as possible. “There isn’t a common meeting space within the park where people can gather to just have a cup of tea in a hospitable place. It is going back to basics using traditional methods.” The project will come to an end on March 21 with a spring equinox celebration, including a banquet, dancing and bicycle powered film screening. However Amy and Ella hope the site will remain in use by the community for cooking growing and food sharing.

by Martin Ford

fordm@hertsessexnews.co.uk