GREEN-FINGERED residents across generations gathered at St Paul’s Church Centre on Smannell Road in Andover on Saturday (May 14) for the latest Meet and Grow event.

Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG, along with a number of partner groups including Rooting for Andover community garden project, set up in the glorious sunshine and offered help and advice on how to grow some simple plants, with the aim of promoting healthy eating and boosting mental health.

Residents were invited to plant a strawberry, tomato or sunflower plant to take home, while a fun cress growing activity for young people proved popular.

The event also comes in the run up to the launch of the first Andover community garden, next to Poppy Park at Augusta Park, which will take place next month.

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Michael Parker, chairman of Rooting for Andover, said: “It’s a community garden revolution in Andover! Many towns have community gardens dotted around, like Salisbury and Winchester, so it’s Andover’s time now.

“We’re teaching them to go from seed, to plant, to grow, to eat. The whole process - not just going to Tesco!”

Helen Coleman, transformation manager at the Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG, added: “We’re trying to promote healthy eating, enjoyment of nature, and getting children to understand where food comes from.

“We’re having a really nice time, the kids are really enjoying it, and the idea is just to have some fun. We’re very happy that people are coming along!”

Also in attendance were Test Valley Borough Council councillors Tracey Tasker - with niece and nephew Pearl (6) and Niall (11) Keogh - and Nick Matthews with grandaughter Heather Matthews, 10.

Cllr Tasker said: “It’s great for them to learn to do something different, rather than being at home and sat in front of the TV! They are learning and they are enjoying it - I reckon these events will get bigger and bigger!”