Community ‘Grow Your Own’ Scheme open for business!

Picture courtesy of Steve Hillman.

PRESS RELEASE

Community ‘Grow Your Own’ Scheme open for business!

In between the showers the Green Heart Den Community Grow Your Own Scheme was officially opened by school pupils Megan Snailham and Gracie Rawlings from Greengate Junior School, one of the schools who will be using the site.

The new scheme is the latest development on the existing community garden site in Marsh Street, Barrow under Greengate Street bridge.

The project was successful in obtaining funding and support to further develop the site by working with the Groundwork Trust and receiving funding from Marks and Spencer as part of their ‘Plan A’ scheme. Many other agencies have helped out along the way also providing funding support and practical assistance.

The new development contains 28 planters which will be used by a wide range of community groups and organisations alongside some local residents. Groups who will be working on the site include MIND in Furness, CADAS and the Croftlands Trust alongside local schools and youth groups.

The site is managed by Marsh Street Arches and Gardens Community Interest Company, a not for profit organisation run entirely by volunteer effort. Steve Robson, one of the company’s volunteer directors said “It was great to finally get the new scheme open and to see people on the site and beginning to make use of their planters, our new poly tunnel and the communal building. It’s been a long process but well worth it in the end.

It takes a lot of hard work from a lot of people to get to this point and we’d like to formally thank everyone involved for all the help we’ve received along the way, now matter how big or small.”

The company hopes to continue with its programme of community events utilising the community garden space and perhaps develop some horticultural and wildlife training for interested parties and groups.

Steve Robson further added, “It’s the beginning of a new phase for us with the grow your own scheme now officially open but there’s still lots of room for developing exciting projects around the site and we’re always happy to hear from anyone who is interested in working with us – we’re a membership company so we’d really like people to join us so we can grow together.”

For anyone interested in finding out more about the project they can visit the group’s website at www.greenheartden.blogspot.com or phone the Project Co-ordinator, Graham Bromley on 07919 991 989. 

PLEASE NOTE: Other funders include Barrow Borough Council, Nurture Lakeland, Cumbria Community Foundation, Friends of the Lake District, Hadfield Charitable Trust, WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd), NHS Cumbria and CWMET (Cumbria Waste Management Environmental Trust)

For further information contact Graham Bromley 07919991989 or Steve Robson 01229 876546.