A new community allotment has been created so people of all ages and abilities can reap the benefits of gardening.
The committee at Foundry Fields Allotments, in Crook, County Durham, has transformed an overgrown plot into a beautiful community garden, which opened on Monday, 26 June.
Spearheading the project is committee secretary Colin Hemingway.
His vision for the garden became a reality thanks to support from believe housing and its contractor BCE Northern, along with funding from the 3 Town Partnership and Durham County Councillor Anne Reed’s neighbourhood budget.
“Gardening has so many wellbeing benefits, so I wanted to create a space for people across our community to get involved,” said Colin.
“It gives you a reason to get up in the morning and a focus in life.
“I want the community garden to be a space for people, young and old, to come along and talk to like-minded people.
“Loneliness is a big problem, and coming to somewhere like this will help tackle it by allowing people to chat and meet new friends.
“I’m looking to invite local schools so young people in our area can learn about gardening and be inspired to do it at home. It can give them a great skill for the rest of their lives.”
Colin applied to believe housing for community investment funding last November, but didn’t meet the criteria for that grant.
However, the housing association was keen to help and put Colin in touch with civil engineering and construction specialists BCE Northern.
The company is delivering a neighbourhood improvement scheme for believe housing, enhancing home exteriors and neighbourhoods, and offered to provide materials and labour to help local good causes as a social value contribution during the procurement process.
Stephen Brown, Project Manager at believe housing, put the two in touch and BCE Northern landscaped and paved the plot.
Stephen said: “As soon as we heard about Colin’s fantastic community garden plans, we were more than willing to help. It’s great to be able to give back to the community in Crook and build a beautiful community garden.”
Adrian Barton, Managing Director for BCE Northern, said: “We jumped at the opportunity to get involved as soon as Stephen reached out to us.
“We’re not just about the bottom line and it is important for us to provide more for the areas we serve in.”
Funding from Durham County Council’s 3 Towns Partnership (Area Action Partnership) provided Colin’s final pieces of the puzzle.
Area budget funding of £18,740 paid to construct the community garden with accessible raised beds, a greenhouse, potting shed, and gardening tools for children. And £1,300 from the Neighbourhood Budget of Councillor Anne Reed went on a composting toilet for the site.
Cllr Reed said: “As soon as I heard about Colin’s plans for the community garden, I jumped at the chance to get involved.
“I’m delighted that our Area Action Partnership funding has helped make Colin’s idea a reality, and I can’t wait to see the garden flourish in the future.”
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