Gut, Soil, Garden

by Mark O’Connell

‘Regenerating land, lives and livelihoods’ is the focus of the Apricot Centre at Huxhams Cross Farm. We currently deliver organic fruit, vegetables, and other produce to 150 households in the South Hams, also at Totnes and Kingsbridge markets, with further ideas to make a wide range of produce available within walking and cycling distance of Dartington. 

Wellbeing Service

The Wellbeing Service extends it's work to sensory integration and food/nutrition clinics, mentoring, land-based craft workshops, summer sessions (respite) for children based around Earthwalks, working with schools, and we are enriched working with our partners Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support (DCRS) and Radical Ecology on a developing programme called ‘Diversity in Gardens’ (D.I.G.) with asylum seekers and refugees enjoying the land, culture and cultural cuisine.

Support from the community

A big thankyou to support from the local community and people seeking asylum who have volunteered at the farm, helping us create a Wellbeing Garden for Children. Originally designed in 2022 by 3 cohorts of Permaculture Students, and aligned with Froebel’s ideas from our ‘critical friend’ and elder Jacqi Cousin with the understanding that gardens can nurture child development. The garden is a place of the elements - earth, air, fire, water (and metal) where children can be inspired through their bodies, relationships and senses, nature-connection, creativity and playfulness. The garden will include  a (‘zen’) sandpit, a fire pit, water features, and a nest swing. Our ‘Diversity in Gardens’ volunteers continue to help us with the groundwork whilst cooking and sharing cultural cuisine with Hannah from the farm.

We recently heard the 'Microbiome Garden' designed by Sid Hill and Chris Hull, which will be installed at the Chelsea Flower Show this year will be relocated to the Apricot Centre  in May! During the last week of May our DIG volunteers will help the Chelsea team plant 600 edible flowers and plants, reconstruct a hexagonal cooking shelter and wavy oak wall surrounded by mature hedging and a large pear tree. 

Funded by Bowel Research UK, the garden links the gut microbiome with mental and physical health through rewilding our diets and relationship with nature..

Sadly, one young person we mentored several years ago recently passed awayand so we are creating a sensory path to celebrate different ways of sensing and experiencing the world. This young person was neurodivergent and found school challenging, yet she shone through sensory exploration, movement, songs, stories, laughter and empathy. 

Please paint pebbles and stones with colourful images or messages for the sensory path and then walk it with us at  Huxhams Cross Farm between 4-5.30 pm on Friday March 15th 2024.Also come to a ‘community picnic’ (bring your picnic) to open the Microbiome Garden 3-5pm Friday 31st May. At both events there will be tea, drinks and refreshments. All ages welcome (please no dogs).www.apricotcentre.co.uk