Residents revamp community garden
GREEN fingered residents have revamped their community garden after digging deep to raise £350 for the project.
Residents at Tweedsmuir, in Chester, ensured spring arrived on time by reviving the garden’s tired look to fill it with colour.
They even benefited from the help of supermarket retailer Tesco who donated trays of plants and raffle prizes to raise the funds required.
Muir’s Supported Housing Officer, Emma Davies, was delighted with the community spirit on show and said: “It was really good to see the community coming together, not only to fundraise but to see the garden returned to its best.”
The residents selected their own ‘Garden Champion’ Rob Owens to take a lead role in coordinating the work, and he consulted with them before designing a garden that would appeal to all.
Volunteers cleared overgrown borders, a central circle for everyone to sit around, and washed paving stones to restore them to their original glory.
Their work has resulted in a carpet of colour which gives them a wonderful outdoor space to enjoy and encourages more wildlife into their community.
Donna Hufton, Sheltered Housing Scheme Officer at Tweedsmuir said: “Residents wanted to make a garden a better place and thought about the needs of everyone there.
“One of the first obstacles we came up against was funding - something quickly overcome by residents who arranged an Easter Raffle and set about donating items, wrapping hampers, and buying and selling tickets.
“I am really pleased their hard work has paid off and they can be really proud of their achievements.”
People at Tweedsmuir can now relax surrounded by a wide variety of flowers, grasses, heathers, and a new illuminated water feature donated by resident, Pauline Clayton, who was instrumental in selling many of the raffle tickets that helped make their dream a reality.
The old water feature has been recycled and will be used as a planter, bird bath and feeder.
Residents are now also growing vegetables and planting onions, beans, tomatoes and potatoes for everyone to share.
Phase two will include clearance of a second border, with sensory plants and flowers attracting birds, bees, butterflies and other animals - holding special appeal for residents with sensory impairments.
A ‘Big Lunch’ event will take place in June when everyone is welcome to experience the new garden for themselves. (Details to follow)