Country diary: On harvest open day, celebration, relief and flying gazebos | Anita Roy

"The apps say heavy rain, but apps ain't always right, and farmers more than anyone are used to the whims of the weather gods. Rose and Ruth, the farm's chief growers, decide to keep calm and carry on. When I arrive, their optimism appears to have paid off. The clouds are low and grey, but it's not actually raining. I walk past the Caractacus Potts-style compost loo and along the grassy path between the veg beds where a scarecrow stands guard in a red jumper."

"Suddenly, the wind picks up and everything goes pear-shaped. People rush in to help. I hang on to one gazebo's leg for dear life as the other careens across the field like a massive, mechanical crane fly. The team wrestle it to the ground and we manage to safely disassemble them both. Tomatoes in the farm's polytunnel. Photograph: Anita Roy We retreat to the polytunnel this year's addition to the farm taking shelter among the tomatoes, aubergines and melons."

"The community farm in Wellington, Somerset. Photograph: Anita Roy The crops have struggled in this summer's drought, but there is still much to celebrate. Every town and village should have a community growing project, Rose says, but these need start-up funds and resources. A truly resilient local food system is good for nature, good for health and communities. Adaptable, flexible and resilient, our community farm can cope with whatever the weather throws at us."

Harvest open day at the community farm brought volunteers and prepared stalls despite weather warnings. Organizers kept calm when clouds gathered, but strong wind overturned gazebos and volunteers worked together to secure and disassemble them. People took shelter in a newly built polytunnel among tomatoes, aubergines and melons. The site transformed from a blank field two years ago into beds of brassicas, rainbow chard, pumpkins and squash. Crops struggled during the summer drought, yet the project still produces reasons to celebrate. Community growing projects require start-up funds and resources. A resilient local food system supports nature, health and social cohesion.

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