“I joined the project when I retired to give my life a focus”

Bernadette Tither has lived in the Farnworth area for most of her life. She retired in 2017 and now volunteers on the Hideaway Community Garden in Farnworth, which she helped to develop, as well as the Willow Hey Project, also in Farnworth.

“The Willow Hey project initially started as a Men in Sheds to help break down social isolation, growing into the wider project it is today. In addition to food growing the project includes woodwork, pyrography, social eating and a Women’s group. I am mainly involved with the growing and pyrography. I joined the project when I retired to give my life a focus.”

Bernadette took part in our Bolton Libraries Growing for Wellbeing sessions to learn more about how to grow her own produce:

“I joined the Groundworks growing sessions to improve my growing skills and knowledge. I have learned things I didn’t know and will pass this on to others.”

Bernadette also told us about her history with food growing and why others should take the initiative:

“I have always has an interest in growing my own vegetables, a thing my dad did and under the current economic climate it is more important than ever. It is also important to share with others how simple it can be. Eating fresh seasonal food is so satisfying when you have planted the seeds tended them and harvested your self.”