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'Our Allotments, the Pride of New Barns', by Linda Adams. (Photo: Martin Melaugh)

This arpillera, made for the Guinness Liverpool Irish Festival 2009, portrays the energy and sense of community cohesion within an urban allotment. Linda shares her motivation for creating this arpillera, made from clothes donated by a mother whose daughter had just left home to go to college: "This arpillera is my tribute to those who come together and turn parts of the concrete jungle into places where people can experience growing and harvesting healthy vegetables."

For her, being involved in an allotment has benefits for the individual and community on a number of levels: "Working on an allotment is a great way to make friends and share ideas. Everyone is welcome. We have many immigrant families in the area. When a shed is built everyone brings what they can and we have a party, which is a good chance to enjoy food from other countries."

A further benefit of this community space is the provision of a place of restfulness and escape from the noise and bustle of city life. Surely such spaces and projects, inducing harmony, community cohesion and improved quality of life, in a hands-on practical way, are a key ingredient in building sustainable peaceful communities.

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