Green-fingered residents went back to their roots at their local park on Saturday to plant fruit and vegetables with their neighbours.

Newham Recorder: Yuni Nasupion, left, Julia Minnear, Ola Rug and Steve Bradbury plant some veggies as the Bonny Community Association launch a new food-growing project at Flanders Field Community Garden.Yuni Nasupion, left, Julia Minnear, Ola Rug and Steve Bradbury plant some veggies as the Bonny Community Association launch a new food-growing project at Flanders Field Community Garden. (Image: Archant)

The Bonny Downs Community Association got friends and families together in Flanders Fields in East Ham to start a food growing project to teach children where food comes from, empower residents to grow their own food and share new skills with each other, and help shape the use of derelict public spaces. .

East Ham MP Stephen Timms officially launched the The Grow Together Be Together Project by cutting the ribbon on a new Polytunnel - before getting stuck in with a trowel.

Party-goers planted fruit trees and edible plants in the Kitchen Garden, swapped seeds, and learnt how to “upcycle” old possessions.

They were also treated to a performance from contemporary choir “Take Note” and played with animals from Spitalfields City Farm.

Ola Rug, Food Growing Project Co-ordinator who also sang in the choir on the day, said: “The project will promote social inclusion and reduce isolation among local residents, particularly older people and disadvantaged children and families.

“We want members of our community to have the chance to enjoy getting involved in all aspects of food production from planting, tending, harvesting, cooking and eating.”