Merle’s story

Merle Tshiamalenge, 86, is one of Green Patch’s longest serving and most loyal volunteers. She has seen the space’s full transformation, from one polytunnel utilised for everything from meetings to planting, to now a fully functioning community space.

“I live a mile and a half away but for 20 years, I have walked to Green Patch once a week to volunteer. In April 2003, an appeal was put out in the local newspaper asking for volunteers for Green Patch, which at the time consisted of a small allotment, broken greenhouses and one polytunnel.

I have seen the continuous work that staff and volunteers have put into transforming this space and making it somewhere the community is proud of.

I always enjoy collecting the wild food around the Green Patch and since I was a child I appreciate getting really fresh vegetables. I get them at the Green Patch now.
Green Patch is for everyone – we have lots of different groups use the space from schools to community cooking groups.

I really enjoy the wild food classes the team run, where you pick the vegetables grown on Green Patch, learn how to cook them and then eat them. Its sustainable and fun.

I now have my own dedicated plot with my name on the sign, which I oversee planting, weeding and pruning."