​Sunday school children from Christ Church in Skipton are looking forward to sharing God’s bounty with the help of an innovative scheme that provides fresh, healthy food to the community entirely free of charge.

The charity, Incredible Edible Skipton, installed two raised beds in the churchyard in Cross Street, and over the winter they were filled with soil and compost.

In the spring, once the danger of frost had passed, the Incredible Edible team of volunteers supplied the church with vegetable seedlings raised in their polytunnel on the Middletown allotments site.

With the arrival of the warm weather the seedlings have flourished and there are healthy crops of peas, cabbage, kale, onions, broccoli, lettuce and Swiss chard that are maturing.

The idea is that anyone from the local community can harvest the crop whenever they like.

The scheme is supported by Skipton Town Council, which maintains the churchyard, and a small team from the church’s congregation look after watering and weeding.

On Sunday, after the morning service, Sunday school children took over watering duties and learned a little about the vegetables and how to care for them.

Churchwarden Bill Carmichael said: “I think everyone got a bit wet, but it was great to get the children involved.

“It is a fantastic scheme and we are glad to play a part and provide fresh, healthy vegetables for anyone who wants them.

“It is great for community engagement and to promote healthy eating, and with food prices rising as fast as they are, it could be really useful for many families.

“The crops are doing very well and some are already maturing – so if you fancy a nice fresh head of lettuce, or some kale or Swiss chard, just come along and take what you like.”

No pesticides have been used and the crops are 100% organic, although as with any vegetable it is recommended that they be washed before use.

The Incredible Edible network started in 2008 in Todmorden in West Yorkshire and has since grown to more than 100 groups in the UK and 600 globally.

You can find out more about the charity, and how to volunteer, here www.incredibleedible.org.uk.