New branch for library seed hub scheme

A further library in North Yorkshire is to help residents grow their own produce with the introduction of a free seed hub.

Voluntary group GROW first launched at Scarborough Library in May 2024, where staff encouraged visitors to pick up seeds when they borrowed books.

Last year, seed hubs were also launched in Whitby and Filey libraries, with a new hub set to get under way at Norton Hive Library, near Malton, in the next few weeks.

GROW organisers said over 2,200 packets of vegetable, herb and flower seeds had so far been shared in Scarborough, with founder Darren Mancrief saying: "What really excites me about the coastal seed hubs is what they represent for the future of our region."

Mancrief added: "By helping communities across Scarborough, Filey and Whitby to do something as simple and powerful as sharing and saving seeds, we're building real food security, seed sovereignty and climate resilience from the ground up.

"Every seed that leaves one of our hubs grows into a plant and finds its way back, which is a small act with a big meaning."

The initiative has received support from local growers, including school gardening groups and community gardening projects.

Some donate seeds they have saved, while others grow crops specifically for the group.

In the short time they have been operating, the Filey hub has shared 158 packets, while Whitby has shared 172 packets.

Simon Myers, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for libraries, praised the network of seed hubs and the volunteers at GROW.

"The seed hubs are easy to use and our libraries are offering more people an accessible base to pick up and share seeds," he said.

"Numbers have been increasing through word of mouth and we hope this is the case in the new hubs to ensure they are a success."

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