A Seed & Plant Exchange event will take place this Saturday (March 19) at Victoria Square in Penarth.

As part of the Food Vale Festival, the Seed & Plant Exchange will invite the public to join members of the Penarth Growing Community and Friends of Victoria Square to learn about growing plants and food, as well as sharing knowledge.

Sally Hughes, 44, a member of Penarth Growing Community, a sub-group of Gwyrddio Penarth Greening (GPG), told Nub News: "We're working with Friends of Victoria Square and the Food Vale Festival and it's the start of a one-year-long programme of events and workshops.

"It's a great chance for people to get together and learn about food growing. We know that one of the biggest impacts of climate change is the way that we produce food – the emissions are just huge!

The year-long programme also includes foraging walks and community conversations. "On average, there will be around three events a month which will mainly be on Saturdays, as well as family workshops during the Easter, half-term and summer holidays," said Sally.

"We've seen a rise in the number of community growing spaces in Penarth over the last 18 months, and there are opportunities for people who are interested in growing food to get involved."

The Seed & Plant Exchange will start with a seed sowing workshop at 10:00, hosted by the Friends of Victoria Square group, followed by a coffee break with drinks and treats from Stol Coffee, and a guided tour of Victoria Square to see the work that been carried out by the Friends of Victoria Square group.

People will also be able to buy plants from the Plant Fair and the event is scheduled to finish at noon.

Although hosted in a different format, the Seed & Plant Exchange proved to be popular in the past. "Last year, we had boxes around town in ten different locations where people could swap," said Sally.

"I had one outside my house and there were often people putting plants in and taking them away. It was very successful, and we were able to gather quite a few donations from that as well.

"I think people want events such as the Seed & Plant Exchange and I'm sure it will be a busy event."