Earlier this year, Otley Community Larder made the decision to expand its food offering. Until now, the focus has been on surplus food from local shops, provided on a “pay as you feel” basis. To support this expansion, the team wanted to grow fresh produce on site.
Having previously built two planters to disguise a small, unsightly retaining wall, the Larder once again turned to Wharfedale Men’s Shed—this time to build eight new planters, including two impressive three-tiered versions. However, due to limited space in the workshop, careful planning was needed.
Six of the planters were designed to be 2.0m x 0.5m x 0.3m. Given the tight workspace and lack of storage, the team realised that traditional construction methods wouldn’t be practical. The solution? Build the fronts and backs as flat panels that could be stored efficiently, and assemble them into lined boxes only when delivered to site.
After cutting all the timber to size and applying two coats of paint, everything was ready. Unfortunately, weeks of sunny spring weather gave way to a cold and rainy Monday—the very day scheduled for delivery and installation.
Despite the conditions, three determined members of Wharfedale Men’s Shed braved the elements to level and install the planters. Five of them were positioned in a line to create a safe divide between foot traffic and vehicles approaching the Larder, all on uneven tarmac.
Thanks to their hard work, the planters were ready just in time for the community planting day on 31st May 2025, when volunteers will sow a selection of vegetables and edible flowers—further enriching the valuable service this well-used local resource provides.
