A social enterprise is hosting a fundraising event which is being attended by pop star Kim Wilde and her performing husband.
Waste Not Want Not is hoping to raise around £2000-£3000 for a new van, which will help the organisation continue its work in rescuing plants and horticultural materials from landfill and use them to create green spaces.
The community interest company works with volunteers from all walks of life – including homeless people, ex-offenders and those who have had addiction – in gardening projects across the area.
Waste Not Want Not will host a fundraiser on September 13 at its new garden nursery, which opened in April at a previously derelict four-acre site situated between Stevenage and Knebworth – just south of the Roebuck Inn on the B197 London Road.
The event will be attended by patron and former pop star Kim Wilde – who lives in Codicote and is best known for hit single Kids in America – as well as her West End performing husband Hal Fowler, who will be singing swing, jazz and Rat Pack songs during the afternoon.
Businesses from the surrounding area have donated prizes for a raffle and an auction, while a barbecue, cake stall and Pimm’s tent will help keep visitors refreshed – although you are invited to bring a picnic if you wish.
There will also be a wide variety of plants and shrubs for sale throughout the day, which runs from 2pm until 6.30pm,
Project leader Isobel Barnes said: “Waste Not Want Not has been running for more than six years and we’re utterly delighted to have secured a 10-year lease at the Roebuck site, which is now a vibrant community space which provides a wide variety of highly economically priced plants and shrubs. Many of our volunteers enjoy a far better quality of life by taking part in the project and around 10 per cent return to work or training after a period with us.
“Our infamous van – once parked on top of a bollard in a car park – is now defunct and the event is to go towards a new vehicle. Ideally we want a van with a tail lift but if we could raise enough for a transit van, with a side opening door and opening back doors, we would be well pleased.
“We look forward to your company at what promises to be a very busy and hugely enjoyable summer music event.”
Tickets for next Saturday’s event cost £7.50 for adults while children go free. Free parking is available at the Roebuck site, which is normally open on Sundays between 10am to 4pm.
To book visit www.wastenotwantnot.org.uk/summermusicevent.html or contact isobelbarnes@aol.com for more information.
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