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The Autumn Garden Extravaganza at Georgian property Great Comp at Platt, near West Malling

Celebrating the beauty of the season with a party that promotes a green-living ethos is the passion at Great Comp.

The picturesque Georgian property, near Borough Green, has timed its second annual Autumn Extravaganza to coincide with the garden reaching the height of its seasonal splendour.

Great Comp garden
Great Comp garden

This year’s theme embraces an environmental ethos by hosting green pioneers Yours Sustainably, who will exhibit alongside Kent crafts-people and nurseries.

Mother and daughter team Lynn and Jessica Ball are the pioneers behind Yours Sustainably, an online boutique selling carefully-sourced ethical products from around the world.

Lynn and Jessica, from Laddingford, near Yalding, are passionate about sustainable goods and sell only socially-responsible, recycled or eco-friendly goods – all of which are desirable and stylish in their own right.

Jessica Ball says: “We follow the ethos of designer and socialist William Morris, who said ‘have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’.”

The pair’s business grew out of their shared love of craft and the environment.

Fairtrade toys hand-crocheted in Bangladesh
Fairtrade toys hand-crocheted in Bangladesh

Lynn says: “We firmly believe that sustainable products can be beautiful, desirable and functional, and that shopping for ethical goods shouldn’t involve compromising your wants and needs.”

The team tell the story of each product through dedicated supplier pages. Lynn says: “We want to share the stories behind these inspiring companies.”

Lynn and Jessica have more than 50 suppliers from around the world, and continue to search for stylish, unique and innovative products.

The other 25 exhibitors at Great Comp Garden’s Autumn Extravaganza include Rose Cottage Plants, Madrona Nursery, Potash Farm, Lakehouse Fabrics, Beadin’ Lovely and decorative ironwork specialist Tom Critchley.

Necklaces made from natural latex rubber bands created in Kerala, India
Necklaces made from natural latex rubber bands created in Kerala, India

William Dyson, curator at Great Comp, says: “We welcome Lynn and Jessica’s ethos and are excited about showcasing their beautiful products at Great Comp.

“We hope that visitors to the show will enjoy the range of exhibitors we have under cover, spanning plant specialists, nurseries, artisan producers, craftspeople and decorative ironwork for the garden.”

Jessica and Lynn Ball
Jessica and Lynn Ball

THE STORY SO FAR

Lynn and Jessica Ball set up Yours Sustainably in 2011 whilst Jessica was still living in Cairo. During her time in Egypt Jessica worked for Malaika, a socially-responsible bed linen company specialising in hand embroidery.

Jessica says: “Malaika teaches local women to hand embroider, and once they have completed the training program they can work from home so that they have a chance to earn an income without disrupting their family and social norms.”

Since being back in the UK Jessica has been involved with the charity Fine Cell Work and menswear designer Trine Lindegaard on a project working with male prisoners in embroidery and design workshops. She is currently studying at London College of Fashion for a Masters in sustainable fashion.

The Autumn Extravaganza at Great Comp, near Borough Green, will be open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12. Entry costs £6 for adults, £2.50 for children or £15 for a family of two adults and two children. Visit www.greatcompgarden.co.uk or call 01732 885094.

Find out more about Yours Sustainably at www.yours sustainably.com

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