We were among the organisations helping to get a community garden project off the ground in Congleton.
We allocated some of our land on Hilary Avenue in Bromley Farm for gardening group Bromley Bloomers to turn into a community resource, as well as donating some funds and support along the way.
Bell Group, one of our partner contractors, made and installed the planters in the garden and have been hands on in helping the garden take shape.
The area has been named The Friendship Garden, and to celebrate, as part of the recent Big Green Week, the Bromley Bloomers ran a Big Planting Day. More than 50 people joined in the effort to fill new planters and beds and clear the area of rocks and litter.
The garden was opened by Town Mayor Cllr Robert Moreton, who said “This is a wonderful project for the community of Bromley Farm. It is especially pleasing to see so many children here. They are the future, and developing an interest in gardening and a love of nature at their age is a gift. Congratulations to the Bromley Bloomers and all the team.”
On the day the main items planted were herbs, flowers and small vegetables, which had been donated by local residents, Congleton Town Council and the Plant Swap. In future the team plans to add vegetables, wild flowers, hedging and fruit trees, working with the community throughout.
Councillor Susan Mead, leader of the Bromley Bloomers, has drawn up a plan for the area with advice from local expert Mary Moxon. Cllr Mead said: “We had a great day and the planters look smashing. We prepared some of the ground-level beds and will be doing more work on them throughout the year, especially the big planting season in Autumn. Special thanks to all the groups, businesses and organisations who have helped us with this project so far. It really has been a team effort.”
Other supporters of the garden project include Congleton Partnership, Congleton Town Council, Glebe Farm, Trees for Congleton, the Rotary Club, Kanga Health and the Partnership (via a community support fund).
Usman Ashiq, strategic partnerships manager at Plus Dane, said: “This is a great project that is something really positive for the community, and we are pleased to be working with so many of our partners and customers to help make it happen.”
Adele Stretch of the Bell Group said: “We were delighted to help with this garden by providing the planters and painting them in cheerful rainbow colours. We also helped promote the project to local residents and came along on the day to help with the planting. It was really good to see the level of support from local people.”
Cllr Kay Wesley, Chair of the Community Committee of Congleton Town Council, helped set up the Bromley Farm Hub Group and Bromley Bloomers. She said: “Congratulations to Susan and all the people and groups who have helped bring this garden together. We have a project here that can promote wellbeing and community spirit whilst driving biodiversity and, at the same time, grow free food for people in the local area.”
The Friendship Garden is just one of the projects of the recently-formed Bromley Farm Hub group, which is working to enhance the local area and support all the residents of Bromley Farm. Led by residents, the Hub also offers a residents’ forum, a stay-and-play group, a friendship group to challenge isolation, and a peer support group.
We are continuing to work closely with the Hub group to support these activities and improve the area around Bromley Farm.
For more information on the Bromley Bloomers or other Hub activities, residents can contact bromleyfarmhub@gmail.com or call 07873 653408.
