ENVIRONMENTALISTS are starting a grow-your-own revolution in the Holme Valley.

And the newly-formed Holmfirth Transition Town (HoTT) group is inviting everyone to get involved.

At their first AGM on Saturday, they’ll be discussing how best to use the land in the picturesque valley.

Chair Janet Williams, from Totties in Holmfirth, said: "We are going to have to start becoming increasingly more self-sufficient and people in this area are very keen to grow their own food locally.

"There’s quite a large population here and we’re trying to become a transition town like Marsden and Slaithwaite.

"They have been very successful in finding ways and places where people can grow their own food and reduce their impact on the environment and I don’t see why we can’t be the same."

Janet said due to the demand for allotments in the Holme Valley there are currently waiting lists for the two allotment sites owned by Kirklees Council, the parish council’s site and The Holme Valley Gardening Network allotments.

Janet said: "Not everybody has land or places where they can grow food.

"But other people may have land going spare which they could share like a disused orchard.

"People could even share their gardens – if some people have gardens that are too big for them to manage they could agree that some-one else tends to parts of it.

"Allotments are not the only alternative to a garden for growing food close to home."

At the AGM on Saturday the group is running a workshop which is open to anyone interested in exploring the ways groups can grow their own vegetables in the valley.

It will be taken by Elaine Thelier, who has recently set up a social enterprise and therapeutic horticulture project in Wooldale.

Those interested in sharing their land can also come along and find out what would-be growers are looking for.

HoTT aims to combat climate change by supporting movement towards a lower carbon future and helping communities prepare for a time when cheap oil is less available.

They are supported by an environment grant from Kirklees.

The AGM and workshop on Saturday will be held in the gallery room at Holmfirth parish church.

For more information ring Janet on 01484 686912 or email janetmikeatpaw@aol.com