70 'Platinum' planters to mark 70 years of Queen's reign

70 planters will soon be sprouting healthy produce across the Borough to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The Platinum Planters in an Edible Town project has been awarded a share of £4.5 million National Lottery funding for communities across the UK to come together to celebrate the special anniversary.

A successful bid for nearly £50,000 was led by the Borough's seven Community Partnerships, Cultivate Tees Valley and Sprouts Community Food Charity.

The project will use the funding to enhance and develop 70 planters, local gardens and community spaces in Stockton-on-Tees so healthy food can be produced for the local community, with the help of schools, young people, families and older generations.

The community-focussed initiative also aims to reduce isolation and improve mental health and wellbeing.

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "Well done to the Community Partnerships and the VCSE sector for their hard work to make this marvellous project happen.

"The funding is for 18 months and in that time there is real scope to do some fantastic work across the Borough. 

"This is both a wonderful way to celebrate Her Majesty's extraordinary reign, while at the same time producing healthy food and helping to tackle social isolation in our communities."  

Andy Robinson, Director of Cultivate Tees Valley, said: "The Cultivate Tees Valley team are grateful to receive this funding thanks to National Lottery players.

"We are excited to work with Sprouts, the Community Partnerships and wider VCSE to develop the #EdibleStocktonOnTees project which will see food grown with local people for local people in public spaces, community gardens and within planters across the town.

"Part of the funding for this grant will see us purchase an aquaponics system which will enable us to grow food and raise fish in a sustainable system helping us to address food poverty in a unique way."

Debbie Fixter, of Sprouts Community Food Charity, said: "Sprouts are delighted to be in the partnership with Cultivate Tees Valley, the Community Partnerships and the wider VCSE sector.

"The funding will help us in our mission to improve the health and well-being of the community through plot to plate cooking workshops, bringing people together and helping to address food poverty through the novel #EdibleStocktonOnTees project." 

The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, revealed that 92 impactful community projects will receive a share of the money.

The Platinum Jubilee weekend will also be celebrated with The Big Jubilee Lunch from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June. Part of a two-year programme of activities supported by £2.3 million of National Lottery funding, this Jubilee-focused version of the annual Big Lunch event will bring thousands of communities together and help people celebrate the Platinum Jubilee while getting to know their neighbours.

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