Tumbledown project
The Tumbledown site is a former farm of around 27 acres which is being developed into a community asset. We’re working in partnership with Weymouth Area Development Trust (WADPT) to create a sustainable and inclusive asset. We’ll use the space to support community led:
- growing
- learning
- wellbeing
which we’ll model on social enterprise principles.
The vision for Tumbledown
In 2019 we held a consultation with 150 local people and 35 stakeholders, including community organisations. We used the results to identify 4 key themes that the public wanted from Tumbledown:
- Climate change mitigation – harvesting natural resources, and reducing the carbon footprint. Promoting a wider understanding of the need to protect the planet.
- Food security – creating a range of growing areas and teaching skills about food production and preparation, from ‘plot to plate’.
- Health & Wellbeing – providing opportunities for people to experience a safe, natural environment, rich in wildlife.
- Social Enterprise – exploring income streams including food produce, a café and growing plants in our on-site nursery.
What’s planned?
A popular forest school already operates on the land. It offers children the opportunity to explore and learn in a natural environment. However, the site offers so much more. We aim for it to become a community hub which will provide a safe educational space for vulnerable adults, among other things.
A community orchard will be planted to offer a calm, peaceful space for residents, benefiting the health and wellbeing of those who visit.
The project so far
Work is in progress at the site across many areas. These include:
- making the site safe for use
- preparing the first area for planting
- gathering local histories
- conducting an archaeological evaluation
- refurbishment of one of the original farm buildings
Get involved
If you’re interested in volunteering, please email Clive Tuck, Project Manager for WADT: clivetuck@wadt.org.uk
Join our Tumbledown Facebook group see the latest news and updates from Tumbledown.