'Dig for Victory' allotment project - free entry all summer

The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms and The Royal Parks are promoting sustainability and recycling at a World War Two-themed allotment, open in St James's Park from 22 May 2008.

The 'Dig for Victory: War on Waste' organic allotment will be tended by school groups and community volunteers, providing a working example of how to grow fruit and vegetables and create habitats for wildlife. Special features include an apiary; a wormery; a bat house; bug hotels; and practical advice on how to recycle ordinary household items. The allotment is open to the public and will also host a primary school education programme.

Events suitable for adults and children will run throughout the summer: a 'Family Weekend' will open the project on 24 and 25 May; there will be 'Make-do and Mend' half-term activities from 27-30 May; and opportunities to pick up useful tips with a series of 'Meet the Experts' days held on each Sunday in June. The final event will be a Harvest Fair on 27 and 28 September 2008.

Phil Reed, Director of The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms said: "In our throw-away society, committing food and materials to the waste bin is of no consequence. We are only gradually realising that the planet can no longer sustain this. The Dig for Victory project is our small attempt to shift the focus back to sustainable living habits and demonstrate how we can benefit from, and actually improve our lives by re-cycling!"

Mark Wasilewski, Park Manager of St James's Park said: "Building on the success of last year where we had over 100,000 visitors to the allotment, we are delighted to again host the 'Dig for Victory' in St James's Park. With the theme of the allotment in 2008 being 'War on Waste' we are keen to promote sustainability and recycling and we hope that people will be inspired to adopt many of our ideas by visiting the allotment."

The allotment is open every day from 22 May to 30 September 2008, between 10am and 5pm. For further details about the project and other events please visit: www.iwm.org.uk/cabinet and www.royalparks.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

• The theme of this year's allotment is 'War on Waste' � it is inspired by the 'Ministry of Food's wartime rationing and salvage campaigns. A temporary display at the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Room accompanies the project. 'Dig for Victory: Make-do and Mend' features clothes rationing and the impact of 'Make-do and Mend' clothes recycling principles on modern fashion.
• Entry into the Dig for Victory allotment in St James's Park is free. The 2007 project delivered 130 school sessions and welcomed over 100,000 visitors.
• The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms are open daily to explore from 9.30am - 6pm, last admission is at 5.00pm. Admission charges to the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms: Adults: �12.00, children under 16: FREE, seniors/students: �9.50. Free personal sound guides are provided for each visitor.

About The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms:

The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms is a branch of the Imperial War Museum.

For information on learning activities or a Teachers pack, please call Howard Benge on 020 7766 0132 or email hbenge@iwm.org.uk

About The Royal Parks:

The Royal Parks Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park.

For more information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk

Media enquiries:

For further information or images please contact:

Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms: Victoria White on 020 7766 0155 or vwhite@iwm.org.uk

The Royal Parks: Katy Murray on 020 7298 2128 or kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk