Support centre seeks big gardening plot

A support centre in Cromer is hoping to emulate TV presenter Monty Don by using gardening to rehabilitate drug and alcohol addicts.The Junction, on Garden Street, wants to find a three-acre plot of land which its users can work on to grow fruit and vegetables.

A support centre in Cromer is hoping to emulate TV presenter Monty Don by using gardening to rehabilitate drug and alcohol addicts.

The Junction, on Garden Street, wants to find a three-acre plot of land which its users can work on to grow fruit and vegetables.

Manager Andy Wicks said: 'It is going to be a social enterprise scheme. We get our clients to work on the land which will move them on from our group work at the Junction.'

Mr Wicks plans to find out whether the recovering addicts, keen to make a new start in life, would be able to gain qualifications as they worked on the land.

It is also hoped any produce from the land could be sold and the profits ploughed back into the project and the centre - which is facing a funding shortfall.

The idea is based on a similar scheme set up by TV gardener Monty Don in 2004. He encouraged a group of ex-offenders to plant crops and tend animals on a six-acre site in Herfordshire in order to change their law-breaking ways.

Mr Wicks would like to hear from anyone who knows about a piece of land which could be donated to the Junction. To help, call 01263 510900.