In the small town of Huntly, in the North-East of Scotland, there’s definitely something happening – and if you haven’t noticed it yet, then it is time to start paying attention. In the town square, behind the library, you walk into the beautiful garden and offices of Deveron Projects. Since 1995, Huntly has been the home of an arts organization dedicated to bringing socially engaged art from all over the world to the town, engaging with the public and starting healthy dialogues on crucial matters. Through such dialogues, the project of The Town is the Garden emerged as a discussion about our past, our present and most importantly our future.
Before diving in too deep, it’s important to understand the basis of the project and the foundation of the ideology upon which the people of Deveron Projects built it. The Town is the Garden seeks to explore the future that small towns, much like Huntly, have in achieving a better food production process, and to also challenge the way that we – young and not so young people – perceive food. The core is simple: food sustainability, reduction of carbon emissions and climate change. But how exactly do they do that: challenge us to think differently? That is what is so remarkable about Huntly.
Behind this project, there are three people from different places, of different backgrounds but with the same passion for radical change in the way that people treat the Earth. Caroline, Joss and Lindi work together every day to come up with more exciting ideas to urge us to go back “to our roots”. What do they mean by that? It’s very simple: through seemingly small actions and events, like free seeds samples or free vegetables in the town’s market, they are trying to plant a very simple yet long forgotten thought in our minds. The simple notion of going back to that time where people grew their own herbs and vegetables. Back to a time where they didn’t feel the need to buy everything from the food store, wrapped up in plastic as most people do now. It is, as Caroline and Lindi said, much more efficient and cheap to have a “wee herb garden” in your backyard. It surely requires some effort, but the end-result, they assure you, is going to be worth the wait.
Nostalgia. This is the first feeling I get whenever I am back to the garden of Deveron Projects and I talk to Lindi about their aim, thoughts and concerns. The simple longing for something lost. But the idea these people are introducing, is not lost, not yet; it is in our hands to share and preserve it. Instead of buying vegetables, fruit and herbs from stores, with all the unnecessary packaging, pay a visit to the wonderful town of Huntly. Have a wee chat, get some seeds and get creative. There is no limit! You will see that the benefits are much more than what you’d expect. And who knows, you might inspire someone else in your life to do the same: plant a few seeds.
For more info, visit their website: https://www.deveron-projects.com/town-garden/
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