THE humble spud was centre stage at the Potato Seed day event in Southend, where visitors got to experience all the delights of the starchy vegetable.

Mental health charity Trust Links hosted their annual Seed Potato day in partnership with South East Essex Organic Gardeners (SEEOG).

Visitors visited Trust Links House Rochford on Saturday 4 February, mental to buy from more than 20 varieties of seed potatoes, and enjoy delicious homemade curry cooked by the Essex Asian Women’s Association.

Echo: More than 20 varieties - attendees shop for spudsMore than 20 varieties - attendees shop for spuds (Image: Trust Links Eco Days)

Attendees also took part in a raffle, joined a talk on solar energy, and enjoyed a tour of the charity’s ‘passivhaus’, showcasing the many environmentally beneficial features such as solar panels and green roofs.

Trust Links House was one of the first passivhauses built in the UK, meaning it was created to be energy efficient and needs less additional heating or cooling.

Echo: Delicious - attendees were fed delicious homemade curry, kindly provided and cooked by the Essex Asian Womens AssociationDelicious - attendees were fed delicious homemade curry, kindly provided and cooked by the Essex Asian Womens Association (Image: Trust Links Eco Days)

Giorgia Whitehouse, who works on Trust Links events, said: “There was a real collaboration at this year’s Potato Day, and it was lovely to see. Not only were people coming to purchase potatoes for their allotments and gardens, but people were going away with repaired items that would have gone straight in the bin. Thank you to all the organisations involved, and everyone who attended.”

Echo: South Essex Organic Gardeners (SEEOG) were on hand to sell and share their knowledge on seed potatoesSouth Essex Organic Gardeners (SEEOG) were on hand to sell and share their knowledge on seed potatoes (Image: Trust Links)

Another new feature to this year’s Seed Potato day was a Repair Café, helping the public to reduce waste and repair items brought from home. The Repair Café was led by the Trust Links Eco Days project and fellow environmental organisation Southend In Transition, who started the “South Menders” Repair Cafes in 2017.

The team of fixers worked with the community in an attempt to repair the 12 items bought in, and successfully fixed more than half, including a coffee machine, toaster, and even a new hand for child’s beloved doll.

Echo: Creative - Abbie from the youth services at Trust Links hosted a children’s potato-art activityCreative - Abbie from the youth services at Trust Links hosted a children’s potato-art activity (Image: Trust Links)

Funds raised at the event go towards supporting Trust Links’ mental health, wellbeing and environmental projects.

Echo: Great turn out - visitors to Trust Links HouseGreat turn out - visitors to Trust Links House (Image: Trust Links)

Trust Links is a mental health, wellbeing and environmental charity. They work across Essex to support people experiencing mental health difficulties, families, and other community members with main bases in Southend, Castle Point and Rochford.

For more information about Trust Links visit www.trustlinks.org