Ouseburn Wild Talks | Wild Roots Community Garden with Nick Figgis

We’re pleased to welcome Nick Figgis, Project Manager of the Wild Roots Community Garden situated in the Lower Ouseburn Valley.

Part of the Ouseburn Wild Talks series, hosted in collaboration with Ouseburn Farm and the Ouseburn Trust, as part of the Wild Ouseburn project.

ABOUT THE TALK

For decades our general approach to gardening has been carried out as a war on nature – manicured lawns and aphid-free roses, offering little in terms of food or habitat for wildlife, and requiring a never-ending stream of chemicals to maintain.

But a quiet revolution is taking place at the vanguard of this ancient human activity.

But who in the urban environment has the access to garden, and can it be made more available as an activity? Should we think of brownfield sites as wasteland reserved only for the next shopping centre to be built, or as the “rainforests” of Britain, full of biodiversity and rugged beauty which we can enhance? How can allowing aphids to thrive be better for your crops in the long term?

What do we have in common with wild animals like beavers, and why do we need to be more like them?

In this talk, along with an overview of progress in the Wild Roots Community Garden, Nick will explore these questions along with some new and rediscovered approaches to gardening with wildlife (and people) in mind. 

ABOUT THE EVENT & VENUE

TICKETS:

Wild Ouseburn Talks are a welcoming place for everyone to come and discover all things wild. Talks are free and open for all to attend, complimentary hot drinks & biscuits too! Please RSVP your free place(s), you will be sent a reminder email a couple of days before the event.

DATE & TIME:

Thursday 23rd January 2025. 6.30pm start – arrive from 6.15pm to find a seat and make a hot drink and grab a mince pie! We’ll finish at around 7.30pm.

LOCATION:

Ouseburn Farm, Ouseburn Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 2PA. Talks take place in Ouseburn Farm’s lovely, warm event space.

ACCESSIBILITY:

Ouseburn Farm, including access to the event space and toilets, are wheelchair accessible. If you would like to discuss other accessibility requirements, please feel welcome to contact us and we’ll be very happy to help.