BBC WINNER ED FINDS NEW CHALLENGE

This time last year, Ed Bond was an unknown science teacher with a passion for growing his own fruit and veg. Now after winning the first series of the BBC’s Big Allotment Challenge, along with his friend Alex Lomax, he’s been offered an exciting new opportunity by Tuppenny Barn in Southbourne.

“They were looking for an education officer,” Ed tells me when I meet him in his local for a chat. “So when they came knocking I jumped at the chance. It’s my dream job.”

“So is that the biggest change in your life, since you and Alex won?” I asked him.

“Well, not many people have stopped me in the street!” he replies. “Maybe four or five people have actually recognised me, but it wasn’t about that. In fact the most exciting upcoming event will be at the Times and Sunday Times Literary festival in October, where I’m appearing with Fay, the Jam judge from the Challenge.

“We’re on first on the stage we’re doing the talk on, and then I’m just going to sit in the green room all day and mingle with real celebrities. I’m quite bookish, so this is going to be brilliant, Martin Amis, John Cleese, Johnny Rotten and Naomi Kline are all going to be there I can’t wait.”

“Can you tell me a little more about what’s happening at Tuppenny Barn?”

“It’s a smallholding which grows affordable, organic produce, and they’re just finishing the education centre, where I’ll be based. It’s the largest circular hay bale building in the country, with room for 200 seats. It’s a crowd funded project and there’s still a few things to finish off, but we’re getting there.”

“Are you going to miss teaching?” “I’ll miss the kids, immensely, but as I said, this is my dream job mixing education and gardening, and I’m sure the school will bring classes on trips. And this way I get to inform hundreds of kids on every stage of organic gardening.”

And they’ve chosen the right person for the job. Ed clearly can’t wait to get stuck in, and Tuppenny Barn have landed themselves a real asset. His energy, optimism and drive come through very strongly, and I’m sure this is not the last we’ll see of Ed.

For more information, or to donate to the crowd funding, www.tuppennybarn.co.uk