Our Story
Lis Long set up Apron in 2017, soon after returning to work after having her daughter. Lis’ job in a local art gallery and museum had changed while she was on maternity leave and Lis had less opportunity for creativity so wanted to create a space where she and other parents could get together, with their kids, in a relaxed and creative environment. A place where they could connect, share and lean together. Somewhere they could introduce their kids to art and craft activities while having space to create themselves. Apron was born.
The project began by running a weekly pop-up arts and craft cafe for three years in the Co-op Community Space, and grew to delivering the annual Shoreham light parade and a series of pop up creative events across Shoreham. Then the pandemic hit and lockdown measures meant Apron couldn't operate or gather indoors. During this time Lis noticed a disused compound to the side of Buckingham park and asked the local council if Apron could turn it into a space for the community. Lis was on furlough and with a local friend had plenty of time to dedicate to her now growing family and to creating the garden. Lis grew up helping her mum out on her allotment in London and visiting her grandad’s allotment in Essex. With a longstanding love of gardening, Lis had been on the waiting list for an allotment as her little flat (which was becoming a bit of a squeeze for a family of now four!) at the time had no garden. The council granted Apron the use of the space and Lis turned what had become a bit of a dumping ground into a permaculture designed, sustainability constructed community garden. By then Lis was juggling a new job, working as Director of exhibitions and ops for a prominent art gallery in Hastings.
The garden opened in the spring of 2021 and within the first growing season Apron supplied fresh produce to the local foodbank and community kitchen. As lockdown measures eased, Apron brought back their Monday morning arts and crafts sessions to the garden, and began welcoming schools and community groups. Lis built a dedicated team of volunteers and over the past four years Apron have introduced a weekly Nature school session, a seasonal program of workshops and events, grown a community orchard, set up the first community composting scheme for the area and brought the Shoreham Light Parade back to life in Buckingham park. Apron have partnered with many local schools and organisations including Esteem, SoLD, Families in Mind, Swiss Gardens, Buckingham Park, St Peters, Friends of Buckingham Park, Transition Town Shoreham, and Brighton Permaculture Trust.
Over the past couple of years, thanks to a pretty scary health situation and a year of treatment, Lis had cause to pause and think about what is most important to her. Lis decided to turn her back on stable employment and a career she’d worked to build over many years, and instead turn towards family, community and what makes her feel alive. Working with her hands, creatively, in nature is where it’s at for Lis.
“Being with people and feeling like we’ve made each other happier for a moment, being outside in nature and feeling like I’m making a positive impact on the environment are what make me feel better. Knowing I’m doing what I can to protect the land and support the community for generations to come. In a world which sometimes feels a bit much, these moments help to ground me and make me feel more hopeful.”
Right now, building on the success of their thriving community garden Apron have just been awarded the former Riverside Equestrian Centre Site in Lancing and are working with the local community to co-design and develop plans for a regenerative community farm and heritage craft centre.
At the moment Apron are focusing on fundraising and local community engagement. The project will be challenging in so many ways but if Lis has learned anything, being resilient and optimistic are key to making positive change. Apron are only just beginning on this new journey and are open to learning through each step of the way. Apron will be tending to their Garden and continuing to deliver all that they do there, while they develop the farm. It's an exciting time and we hope you will come and join us along the way.
