The Gardens at Stubbylee have been developed over the past five years with the help of many volunteers and with funding provided from Rossendale Council and other Project funding from The PCT and The Big lottery.
We run the gardens as organically as we can on basic permaculture principles which mean that we recycle, reuse and reclaim what we can. Our committed volunteers and beneficiaries work daily to maintain our vegetable beds, herb gardens and flower beds. All our produce is then shared out amongst our volunteers by way of a thank you for all their hard work.
We are planning to sell some of our produce to local businesses, cafes and restaurants. Not only does working in our gardens here create a lovely place to be, it also provides an important therapeutic activity for individuals who may be dealing with a range of health issues from mild anxiety to severe depression and other mental or physical illnesses.
Gallery of progress
As a very active project, every day, month and year we see many changes in our environment and the lives of the people who engage with our projects. Here are a selection of pictures which tell the story of our site and the people in it.
The Stables Cafe
The Stables Café is situated within a courtyard within the grade 2 listed buildings of the Barn in Stubbylee Park.
Our chef and manager, Malcolm Clark has developed a delicious seasonal menu and daily home cooked specials using ingredients grown on the greenhouses site.
Our cafe volunteers bake beautiful cakes and help in all aspects of the cafes day to day work.
Our customers receive a warm welcome and dogs are welcome.
Opening times & info
Artisan skills
Our facilities at Stubbylee Community Greenhouses provide many opportunities for people to learn a range of Artisan skills including Blacksmithing, woodwork, woodturning, printmaking, painting, crafts, jewellery making, cookery and up cycling furniture.
Our key mentors and staff offer tuition and courses in all the above skills and create many artisan products which can be purchased from our site shop.
Learn more about our courses
Vegetable growing
All the vegetables, fruit and herbs are grown organically by our team of committed volunteers. All produce is used by the Stables Café, thereby reducing food miles to food centimetres and any surplus is given back to volunteers.
The geographical position of the site, at 856 ft altitude, means we have a very short growing season so we make sure the plants we grow are sown from seed or propagation and can withstand the weather conditions in Rossendale.
The local Community residing in the Northern reaches of the Rossendale Valley , face increasing challenges. Ongoing austerity, changes in health,welfare and statutory front line services has meant that the town of Bacup in particular has seen a massive reduction in local services.
That aside, the community who attend Stubbylee Community Greenhouses demonstrate a humbling humanity, neighbourliness and sense of family second to none.
The wealth of skill, expertise and life experience our team share with all who come through the gates makes Our Greenhouses much more than a collection of buildings.
This is a community who are resilient in the face of adversity, motivated to transform their lives and support social change for all.