Located just outside Hounslow, this busy and thriving garden brings the local community together. It was started just over two years ago from a complete green field site and it is now full of life (and people!).

I was invited to its Harvest Day by members of HAG whom I met at the Permaculture Festival in Lambourne End last month, where I was running a permaculture workshop for children.

It was lovely to see a community in action, with tables laden with delicious dishes cooked from the fruits and vegetables that grow in this abundant garden but with influences from different cultures.

I brought a pumpkin and butternut squash pie; it was amazing to taste butternut squash cooked Sri Lankan style alongside my “English” pie. I have never tasted bitter gourd cooked in a dry curry, nor tasted a deceptive-looking albino chilli that was so hot that it came with a warning sign!

Food was fantastic, but it was more about a community coming together to celebrate harvest and grow together.

The fruits and vegetables grown here are sumptuous, as are the flowers. It is truly an amazing space. The garden recently hosted a corporate event where managers came to dig a ditch/pond and be in the nurturing garden. It was really calming to be here, good for promoting mental health wellness!

Aishah and the basil she grew a few months ago. I absolutely enjoyed chatting to her about plants!

The local Scouts group has a patch in the garden too!

To be a part of this, everyone contributes. Here’s the job board. That’s how a fairer, heart-centred world is built, folks!

For more information about Heston Action Group, visit their website: https://www.hestonactiongroup.co.uk. Imagine, it was started when a group of people got together to collect rubbish – from cleaning to greening. Big love!