AN EXCITING new gardening project in Milford Haven will see a local charity grow its own fruit and vegetables, in a bid to combat food poverty in Pembrokeshire.

Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship’s (PATCH) new Growing Patch will see volunteers of all ages work together to transform three acres of disused land near Liddeston solar park into a sustainable food production project.

“We spent £15,000 on food last year, and this will reduce if we can grow our own,” said PATCH co-ordinator Tracy Olin.

The project has been made possible thanks to site owners the Port of Milford Haven, who will be leasing the land to PATCH for a ‘peppercorn rent’.

Speaking at the grand opening on Friday, Tim James, Energy Manager at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “As a Trust Port we continually look for projects that facilitate the development of new opportunities for people in Pembrokeshire.

“This exciting project will enable PATCH volunteers to learn new skills as well as boosting produce for their well-used food bank.

“PATCH’s gardening project will sit well next to the solar park as both initiatives address sustainability and embrace nature to help produce energy, albeit in very different ways.

“Everyone at the Port is excited to see how the project develops and we wish Tracy and her volunteers all the very best with their new growing ‘patch’.”

Part-time project manager Jan Olin has already started work building the garden’s raised growing beds from unwanted wooden pallets.

Although the project will take around 18 months to establish properly, a pilot area is already functioning, and it is hoped it will produce its first crop of potatoes and leeks by March.

All the food grown will then be issued through PATCH to its clients.

And volunteers of all ages are being encouraged to get involved, especially older people with a passion for gardening or those who just want to keep fit and healthy.

“Even if people are not able to come and be hands on, we would love to use their knowledge and get their advice,” said volunteer Carys Jones.

Chris Davis MBE, who runs a successful food bank project in Southampton, was among those attending the grand opening on Friday.

“It’s great what we do as basic banks, helping people at the point of need, but if we can take those people and enable them to grow and develop their skills too, that will be even better,” he said.

“I think it’s a fantastic development of a project that is already so great.”

Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Eric Harries, said he was very conscious of the important PATCH work does, but it was “regretful that it’s so necessary”.

“This project will help PATCH extend its influence for good in the community,” he added.