Community garden in Denmead gets a massive upgrade after council grant
“We welcome all local residents to join us at the community garden.”
Two new raised beds have made a Denmead community garden more accessible.
The beds have been built at Denmead Community Centre by volunteers from Greening Denmead, a not-for-profit group which aims to bring residents together through gardening and growing food.
Supplies arrived in August and 12 volunteers helped build and paint the beds before filling them with topsoil. They are now ready for planting, having been treated with green manure ahead of the next growing season, when salad crops will be grown.
The work was enabled by a grant from Winchester City Council.
Terri Bryant, from Greening Denmead, said: “This grant has enabled Greening Denmead to build two raised beds creating a visible and welcoming entrance for all residents and volunteers, whatever their ability, to come and enjoy the community garden.
“The garden is a welcoming space for everyone, including those who don’t have access to their own green space, where people can learn new skills, grow food, and contribute to the wider village community. These beds have helped to make the garden more accessible including for older residents and people with mobility challenges.
“We welcome all local residents to join us at the community garden, even if only to socialise and benefit from fresh food. Any surplus produce will be donated to the wider community and the lunch club.”
Cllr Kathleen Becker, Winchester City Council's cabinet member for healthy communities, praised the project and said it would help the group grow fresh local produce.
She said: "This is a fantastic initiative from Greening Denmead and I am delighted to see the raised beds in place in such a welcoming community space.
"It is also wonderful to see the camaraderie of group members who have been enjoying working together outside on this project; it's offering a boost not only to their physical health of participants, but their mental wellbeing too.
"I'd encourage anyone interested to pop along and get involved."
For community groups and charities, there are still further grants and funding schemes available. For more information, go to the Winchester City Council website.