St Paul’s Community Hub Garden celebrates one year of blossoming success

Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH) as part of Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) are delighted to announce a celebration event to mark the remarkable progress of the St. Paul's Community Hub Garden. The event will take place on Wednesday, 25 September from 4:00pm to 5:30pm at the St. Paul's community hub, Manser Street.

The garden, a focal point of community engagement and environmental stewardship, has blossomed over the past year, thanks to the dedication of residents and the partnership with GWT.

The garden was funded by Gloucestershire County Council’s Build Back Better initiative and received support from GWT’s “Nextdoor Nature” project, bringing together St. Paul’s community through a range of gardening activities.

Frances Halstead, the Nextdoor Nature project officer at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has played a pivotal role in establishing a new gardening group at the hub. The trust's involvement has led to the creation of a twice-monthly gardening group, a term-time family afterschool group, school holiday activities, and various seasonal events.

Frances said: “Working with our council partners and the St Paul’s community has been a pleasure. Our partnership has transformed the community hub garden and has enriched the lives of the families. It’s been joyful to see residents enhance their gardening skills and confidence.

“We hope the project continues to grow with everyone’s support. Special thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for making the Nextdoor Nature project possible.”

Within the community garden, the team also run a programme called Grow.Cook.Eat, where families can cook recipes from produce grown in the hub garden. They've previously made pizza using fresh herbs, and vegetable kebabs with homegrown potatoes as well as strawberries, sweetcorn, beetroot as well as growing pumpkins for Halloween.

Ali English, community investment officer at Cheltenham Borough Homes, part of Cheltenham Borough Council, added: “The hub garden has been positively received by the local community, and we have been very fortunate to have had the support from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, who have helped run twice monthly gardening sessions, seasonal activities and more recently, the start of our Grow.Cook.Eat family afterschool sessions.

“It's been a real joy to see the families learn how to garden and grow their own produce, and we're hoping next year, using the skills they've learned, they can grow more and share with the community.”

During the event, the children from the afterschool gardening club will have the opportunity to make scrap books of their achievements over the year. There will also be the chance to plant herb seeds and to take them home, as well as a chance to take home photographic displays of the work of the residents over the past year.

Visitors will also have the chance to meet residents who will share their experiences and discuss how gardening has positively impacted their lives and contributed to a renewed sense of pride within the community.

Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: "Learning gardening skills in a community environment and being able to grow and eat your own vegetables, fruit and herbs is fantastic. The St. Paul's Community Hub Garden is a shining example of community collaboration. This event celebrates the hard work of our residents and the crucial support from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, highlighting how our garden has strengthened community ties."

The event will also feature the Mayor of Cheltenham unveiling a vibrant garden mosaic art piece, created by families during the summer school holidays.

In addition to the mayor attending, the event will be attended by the chief executive of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, representatives from Cheltenham Borough Council, and other key partners who have been instrumental in the success of the project.

ENDS

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