From organic farming to African drumming, life for the volunteers, asylum seekers and refugees at Forest Farm Peace Garden is more than just sowing seeds.

Green-fingered reporter Crystal Wilde took a trip to the site as the team prepared for their first World Music Day on June 21.

EARTH care, people care and fair share are the core principles of permaculture upheld by the amateur horticulturists at Forest Farm Peace Gardens in Hainault.

Tucked away at the bottom of an unassuming street, the registered charity is dedicated to environmental and community sustainability, offering growers of all backgrounds, ages and experience a chance to work the land.

Many members are refugees and asylum seekers, who are given private plots to grow their own food while being encouraged to integrate with the wider community through a multitude of lessons and workshops.

Wood-turning, sustainable carpentry and mosaic making are among the more creative courses on offer, with medicinal gardening, environmental education and herbal treatment classes for the more sceintificly-minded.

Leslie Powles, 57, of Fitzgerald Road, Wanstead, has been pitching in at the community garden since October last year.

She said: "It's a very peaceful and beautiful place to be gardening and you get to grow your own organic fruit and veg among a group of really nice people.

"The refugees and asylum seekers come from backgrounds of persecution and injustice and I'm very pleased to know that the gardens and community give them somewhere they can feel at home.

"We also offer a supported volunteer programme for people with mental health issues.

"I have suffered from stress myself and I know the impact that gardening can have on mind, body and soul.

"It's something to do with working on the land, getting your hands dirty in the soil and being a part of nature."

Stephen Ayers, 34, of Walthamstow, has organised the group's first World Music Day on the summer equinox, Sunday, June 21, 11am - 5pm.

He said: "We want to celebrate the involvement of refugees and asylum seekers in the garden as well as the local community and the mental health services.

"Getting out in the fresh air and quiet greenery can be extremely therapeutic and people leave feeling that they've had a great day and escaped the city even though they're just at the end of a cul-de-sac in Hainault."

Acts will include climate change song writer the Carbon Town Crier, Afro Drum Generation from Zimbabwe and Mbilla Arts from Gambia.

Entry and food is free and all musicians are welcome to perform.

Volunteers are welcome every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 11am and 5pm.

The Peace Garden is situated in Hazelbrouck Gardens, close to Hainault tube station.

Call Gareth Morgan on: 8252 0201 for more information.