'Petal Library' launches in Hexham Library to reduce waste

Bex Bradbury, Grow Hexham's coordinator, worked with Kathryn Agar of Northumberland Libraries and Transition Tynedale to launch Hexham Seed Library at the end of last year.

They launched the Petal Library as part of Big Green Week today (Friday, June 13).

Hexham Seed Library (Image: Supplied) Bex said the Seed Library was 'received very positively and is well used already', and she hopes the Petal Library can help to reduce waste.

"The idea came from my love of roses and work as a gardener, and the vast number of roses I deadhead and compost - what a waste this feels for something so beautiful," she said.

Bex said the aim is to allow people to get free dried petals from Hexham Library to use in weddings.

"You pay so much for everything when you get married, and often, less environmentally friendly confetti options are cheaper! So hopefully this avoids that, and people can dry any roses or petals they have from home and donate them back to the Petal Library to keep it rolling forward. I will keep drying the roses I have available as the backup."

Bex will be involved in the Sow the Rainbow event tomorrow (Saturday, June 14) from 10am-noon as part of Hexham Pride, which is a joint event between Grow Hexham and Hexham Library.

To celebrate the summer solstice, a forage evening and author event will take place next Saturday, June 21.

Sue Reed will attend as guest speaker at the event, which includes seasonal garden foraging and goodies and a seasonal salad-based picnic, from 2.30pm onwards in Hexham Community Garden.