GARDENING enthusiasts turned out in force for The BIG Community Grow’s second Big Seed Swap event at Trowbridge Town Hall on Sunday, following the success of last year’s inaugural event.

The free event is held to promote gardening and environmental activities in the community and provided an opportunity for green-fingered locals to swap seeds and find out gardening advice from local expert Richard Cripps. 

Visitors could also learn more about groups such as Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Friends of Trowbridge Park, Friends of Biss Meadows and the West Wiltshire Bee Keeping Association. 

While adults received free advice and watched gardening demonstrations, children were able to get crafty with a range of free activities, including making flowers and planting seeds.

Mel Jacob, who co-founded The BIG Community Grow with Jacky Good, said: “It was a really good event and we had a lot more people coming to swap seeds this year, whereas last year people weren’t sure exactly what it was about.

“More people knew what was going on, but I think we have a few more years before everyone really gets the hang of it. It is only our second year and it is a new concept for Trowbridge.

“All the stallholders were great and I think visitors enjoyed finding out more about the different groups in the area. It was fantastic to see lots of new faces coming along and show interest in what we are doing as well.

“Overall, we were really happy with how it all went and we are hoping that the event will continue to grow in the future and attract even more people, as it becomes even more established.”

The BIG Community Grow is a small, not-for-profit organisation that is also responsible for the Trowbridge Apple Festival, The Trowbridge Big Lunch and the Community Garden in the park. 

Visitors to the event were also invited to make something to contribute to The BIG Community Grow’s community tapestry, which will be a pictorial history of Trowbridge developed as part of the Magna Carta Celebrations.

Mrs Jacob added: “People were very interested in our tapestry project, which is one of the ways we are celebrating the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary this year, and hopefully we will have lots of groups adding something to it.”

For more information about The BIG Community Grow, visit www.bigcommunitygrow.org