Welton Vale residents celebrate new community fruit garden
22nd June 2009
A new community fruit garden has been proudly
opened by residents in Welton Vale, Midsomer Norton’s Over-50s
Club, just a year after they had the idea.
The garden came about after one of its members, Marjorie Belton,
saw a film of what life was like in Cuba, trying to survive without
imported produce, and the power of the community in tackling these
shortages by growing their own fruit and vegetables.
Through their Tenant Representative, Jane Keeley, they applied
to the Trust’s Sustainability Forum, which had shown the film, for
support and funding. It donated £175 to buy the plants, and
approached Norton Radstock College to help plan and plant the
garden, as most of the over-50s club’s members weren’t able to
physically do the work.
An area of neglected ground was identified by the College and
they consulted other residents at the sheltered housing scheme, on
what to plant in the garden and what it should be called.
A fruit garden proposal was the favourite and ‘Summer Vale’ was
opened on 11th June by Keith Bridges, the Sustainability Forum’s
Chair.
Marjorie Belton said:
‘I have lived here around nineteen years and the top of Welton Vale
did not look attractive after the allotments ceased to exist. It
was an untidy site of land situated between the sheltered housing
and private residents. We won't have a huge crop this year but in
future years, fruit can be gathered for the community.’
Kevin Connell from Norton Radstock College's Horticultural
Department designed the garden. College students then dug out the
beds and planted the fruit bushes and herbs. Dwarf fruit trees have
also been planted near the community hall. Kevin Connell said:
‘We are proud to be part of this project, as
community work is an important experience for our students. Our
horticulture students have really enjoyed working with residents on
this project.’
Jane Keeley, the social club’s Secretary and Welton Vale’s
Tenant Representative, said:
‘It is early days yet but this is an ongoing
project which will benefit us and future generations through its
sustainable use. The produce will not only provide our community
with access to fresh fruit for eating and jam making, but also
promotes sustainable food and food growing.’
‘We would like to thank Kevin Connell and his
students for all their hard work and expertise, and the
Sustainability Forum for funding it, as without this our project
would not have been possible.’
The Sustainability Forum is a group of Trust
residents with a particular interest in the environment and taking
forward green initiatives. Any resident who is interested in
joining can contact Caroline Green, Community Initiatives Officer,
on 01225 366306 to find out more.