Rooted need a new home

Indeed, there was once a wasteland on St Peter Street, Hull. Urban desolation and community segregation were our catalysts. Our current landlords at Humber Galvanising recognised our vision back in 2013 and allowed us to make use of an area of their land that they were not using. Rooted in Hull, our urban farm in the city was born.

Our agreement with our landlords was on what is referred to as a “meanwhile use” basis. This meant that we could have use of the land for as long as they did not need it, along with the promise that we would be given time and assistance to move, should the need ever arise.

With the “meanwhile use” lease in place, we implemented our equipment and facilities in such a way that meant everything could be moved with relative ease. Purpose built shipping containers comprised the bulkiest of our setup, a bakery, kitchen, shop, our office, and the showstopper, “Big Red” which is our heated warm space that is used as an art gallery and for craft sessions when the weather is poor,  as well as opening up into a bespoke performance space where we have established a number of regular events which include music and theatrical performances by our local community, often themed around the history in which our community is steeped. Rootstock being our most famous annual event was attended by over 200 people this year.

We have achieved a great deal to be proud of, the transformation of the space is a wonder to behold and opening the gates to welcome in the community is an absolute pleasure as we welcome the community to take part in the space we have built.

Disappointing News

Our landlords need the space back and we have just a few months to find our new home in the city. Not only that, we are going to need help, as usual. Everything we do requires the help of the people in the community. We need your skills, your expertise, your muscle, your companionship, your cold hard cash if you can.

This move will happen and we feel defiantly bullish in the face of the odds against us. We feel no matter where we do end up, Rooted will continue adhering to the same core values of bringing the people in our community together over learning about and producing sustainable food, creating a space and running a program of activities that aims to combat the causes of social isolation whilst rewilding another area in the city, as we have for the past decade on St. Peter Street.

A crew from ITV’s Calendar News came and helped us to spread the news of our accommodation plight across the region’s airwaves which will have hopefully caught the right person’s eye, especially if they know of a piece of land in the heart of the city, just like our current home, albeit only until November. We have included the news clip here.

Perhaps we will find a reason for fireworks this bonfire night after all!