Andy and May Mason are preparing to grow their own food as they set about transforming their Alvaston garden into a self-sustaining eco-system. The couple are part of Transition Derby - a group set up to tackle the issues of climate change. Elijah James and Catherine Oakes report.

ANDY and May Mason hope they are planting the seeds of a more sustainable future for their children.

Concerned about climate change and the rising price of oil, the couple, from Alvaston, are going back to the good life and preparing to transform their garden into a new-age allotment.

They hope to soon be feeding off home-grown vegetables, fruit and seeds and are working towards a self-sufficient lifestyle to benefit daughters Lian, one, and Matilda, five.

"We're looking for a sustainable future for our children," said Andy.

"We are facing the growing challenges of climate change and need to start looking at ways of combating it.

"The issue of Peak Oil is also a factor in us wanting to create a more sustainable future. Experts predict that between 2012 and 2025, the demand for oil will continue to rise while the supply will dwindle, sending prices rocketing, which will affect the price of food.

"That is something we have to be prepared for."

Peak Oil is a phrase used to describe the world's oil supplies reaching their peak and then starting to decrease.

The Masons are part of the Transition Derby movement – a branch of the Transition Towns scheme launched to tackle the issues of climate change and Peak Oil by promoting self-sufficiency.

There are currently about 40 members of the group, who will all be helping the couple to prepare their garden in Styles Road for planting – known as groundwork day – next month.

Andy, 47, a ceramic artist, said the movement was all about getting the community involved.

He said: "I think that Transition Derby will expand as more people become aware of the issues we are facing.

"The scheme is all about more community involvement. As well as planting in our own garden, we want to form more community spaces to grow more produce."

Andy's wife, May, said the children were also excited about getting involved in the work.

She said: "My little girl says she wants to grow strawberries.

"I'm really happy about producing food at home because, at the moment, we are buying vegetables from the local supermarket, and it seems to come in lots of packaging that can't be recycled. I've got a feeling that there will come a time when we have to regress from purchasing food that is mass produced in favour of growing our own.

"It's interesting in the case of Alvaston, because I've talked to a lot of people around here and some grow their own food anyway.

"In doing that, they are being more kind to the environment, plus they get exercise and enjoy a better quality of food.

"The produce straight from your garden is sweeter because the sugars have yet to turn to starch."

The Masons' garden will be planted according to the rules of permaculture – an approach which works with nature to create a constant supply of crops throughout the seasons.

In order to plan the changes to their land, the Masons sought advice from permaculture expert Clare Davies.

Clare said: "Permaculture is a system of arranging what can be grown for food to ensure optimal human and wildlife symbiosis – from the farm all the way down to the window sill."

Former electrical engineer Dave Ackroyd founded the Transition movement in Derby and now devotes his time to running the city group.

The 43-year-old, from Normanton, said: "It's a very positive way of dealing with environmental issues. The Transition Network isn't about campaigning against anything, it's about working with the community.

"We are creating a future in which we work collectively and value each other. Together, we can creatively plan toward and influence Derby's energy descent.

"On a practical level, we are looking at how we can feed ourselves in the light of Peak Oil, how our homes will cope, and how it affects transport."

The Transition group meets at The Friends' Meeting House, in St Helen's Street, Derby, every other Saturday. Starting times can vary, so go to www.transitionderby.co.uk for more information.