LET’S make our village good enough to eat!

That’s the green-fingered goal of parish councillors, who, inspired by the rising trend to grown your food, have launched the Edible Rowhedge project.

Beginning on November 2, its plan is to plant low-maintenance beds layered with fruit bushes, perennial herbs, vegetables and edible flowers for residents to eat.

John Rowland, East Donyland parish councillor, said: “This will allow us to create a sensual display full of scents and scintillating colours, both attractive yet highly useful.

“Our plan is to demonstrate how easy it is to grow your own food, no matter how small your space is at home.

“Growing your own has been on the increase in recent years.”

The council’s vision is to transform the village community spaces.

One of the beds will be in tribute to the First World War and will be constructed from oak sleepers at Lion Quay, next to the war memorial. The other will be on a small plot of land on the corner of Heath Road and Rectory Road.

Mr Rowland said: “This area we hope to turn into a fantastic edible community garden with an orchard on one side and ornamental edible beds all around with a central mulberry tree.

"We are applying for funding to allow us to realise this goal.”

East Donyland Parish Council has found the £685 to kickstart the project, but will need about £1,000 for each additional bed and more plants.

Once the council has raised additional funds, it will add a bed on the opposite corner of Lion Quay and another in front of the parish sign at the quay.

Residents will be welcome to help themselves to the produce from the beds.

Mr Rowland said his inspiration came from plant pots at the Black Buoy pub in Wivenhoe, which were planted with vegetables, such as the colourful rainbow chard, among sweet scented herbs and flowers.

His imagination was also captured by the Medicine Man flower bed at Kew Gardens, London, produced to educate visitors about medicinal plants.

Mr Rowland said little produce growing occurs in Rowhedge as many residents have small gardens.

If you wish to be involved in the project by providing funding or gardening support, contact John Rowland and Nelly Randall of East Donyland Parish Council at jrowland @eastdonylandpc.co.uk and nrandall@eastdonylandpc.co.uk