On 20th March we were invited to co-host a Transition event at Metal Liverpool, a heritage arts project based at Edge Hill, the oldest active passenger railway station. We were joined by mostly new people from the area and some artists working with Metal on their residency programme.

Permaculture is a practical method of designing and developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems that can be used by anyone, anywhere. By thinking carefully about the way we use our resources – food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs – it is possible to get much more out of life by using less and working towards zero waste.

For a more detailed description you can visit the Permaculture Magazine’s definition here

We shared soup then took a short tour of Metal’s unique community garden space which has heaps of character and potential to demonstrate how permaculture can maximise a shady spot. We then gathered back in the station building and had some small group discussions on “What is permaculture?” and “Existing and Future Local Permaculture projects”.

Existing projects we listed are Mersey Rd Allotment Plot, WEA Permaculture themed courses, Green Guild Hugelkulture, Waterloo Forest garden, Merseyside Permaculture group (Facebook), Everton park permaculture herb spiral. (If you know more please send the details so we can add to this list)

Future project ideas were shared for Metal Community Garden, Quaker Burial Ground and Orchard, Hugelkultur demo in Bebington, St Brides Church Forest garden, and we’ve heard there’s plans or ideas for a Forest Garden in Netherton and L8.

Sabina Sallis North East based artist explores the theme of permaculture and is interested to discover more about what is going on in this field locally so we’ll be sharing what we find with her for her research.

Mary Jane and the team at Metal would be happy to support more meet ups and can host at Metal, so if you are interested please get in touch and let us know what you’d like to happen.

In the mean time you can visit Metal’s Garden on Tuesdays 1-4pm, Green Guild on Wednesday Afternoons, Quaker Ground Community Garden on Sundays 1:30-3:30pm and the Mersey Road Allotments (Permaculture) Community Plot access from 12-1pm all welcome.