A budding initiative to blend herbs and the community is already brewing good-will in the area.

Hackney Herbal – which uses the profits of its locally-grown tea to re-invest into health initiatives in the borough – was launched in Dalston’s Gillet Square on Sunday.

Passers-by enjoyed sampling infusions at the sun-filled free event, while a storyboard collected people’s knowledge and memories of all things herbal.

“The idea was to bring people together to share their knowledge and stories about using herbs and organise workshops and events to showcase this,” said Natalie Mady, co-founder of Cordwainers Grow, a Hackney-based community interest company, which launched the pilot project.

“Collaborating with other growers and community gardens has allowed us to produce enough herbs to make the tea blends, whilst also helping to raise awareness about the extensive benefits of herbs.”

The launch also celebrated the leaves being sold at Tiosk, in Broadway Market, and a ‘Growing Enterprise’ award for Hackney Herbal, presented at the Urban Food Awards last Thursday.

“The project has been designed to feed itself, with the tea being sold to provide funds for more workshops focusing on well-being, making us less reliant on external funding,” added Natalie.

To find out more, go to cordwainersgrow.org.uk/project/hackney-herbal/