Venue

Overground has made The Green Backyard it's home. The Green Backyard is a community growing project in central Peterborough run entirely by volunteers.

"From this urban base we are working to transform a once-derelict former allotment site into a beautiful and productive green space. We try to promote sustainable lifestyles and raise awareness of environmental issues through practical demonstration and community involvement. With regular workdays, events and activities we aim to bring people and communities across Peterborough together to be a bit greener, healthier and happier."

The idea for The Green Backyard grew from the ashes of a well known local group called Eco Art Projects, co-founded in 2000 by local craftsman and allotment holder Renny Antonelli. This group transformed several adjoining allotment plots in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough into an attractive and productive resource which generated widespread interest locally and a high demand for visits, demonstrations and workshops. By 2007 the site boasted solar power, a rainwater harvesting system, a large pond, beehives, a composting toilet, numerous vegetable beds and an award winning shed - it had well and truly outgrown its home!

Working with his daughter Sophie, Renny went on to found The Green Backyard after Peterborough City Council suggested a 2.3 acre former allotment site in central Peterborough as a possible new home for all this good work. In May 2008 a consultation day was held on the site and ground was finally broken on a chilly but bright day in January 2009. Since then the site has been rendered unrecognisable by a huge number of volunteers, bringing with them a vast array of talents, skills, knowledge and laughs.