Gardens revamped by neighbourhood
NEIGHBOURS in Grantham’s Earlesfield estate have pulled together in a huge effort to make their neighbourhood more attractive.
Annoyed by the perception that the Thames Road area is a grotty place to live, the Earlesfield Neighbourhood Group gardening club decided to take action into their own hands - and have completely transformed several gardens.
Anne Clark, chairman of the neighbourhood group and a Thames Road resident, said: “It’s all done by the community for the community. It’s what communities are all about, helping each other and making the area where you live look nice.
“The Earlesfield estate has such a bad reputation, but people who come by when we’re working on a garden say it looks lovely.”
As well as giving several bungalow gardens a make-over, the group has given the Thames Road Community Centre’s garden a complete overhaul.
The once overgrown mess have been transformed into a pretty, colourful garden with lots of flowers and a small vegetable patch. Tomatoes are growing in one hanging basket, and a variety of herbs in another.
Bernard Hare is one of the gardening club’s six members behind the garden’s new look. He said: “An awful lot of work went into it, hours and hours.
“Since we’ve done it we’ve had very little vandalism, so it’s a positive scheme.”
Money for plants and equipment is paid for through fund-raisers held at the community centre, such as coffee mornings and bingo. Around £400 has been spent so far.
Anne and Bernard are confident that their hard work will secure them a top spot in the South Kesteven District Council floral features competition.
It is open to supported housing groups and is a way for the council to improve areas of the district at minimal cost. Awards are presented to the winners, some a cash prize.
Last year, the club came third with a £100 prize and received a special commendation for most improved gardens.
Judges marked the gardens last Thursday, and neighbours expect to hear the result shortly.
l Have you worked hard to make your neighbourhood a better place to live? Send us an e-mail at comment@granthamjournal.co.uk and tell us about it.
Email to a friend
Print this page Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Local pages
Looking for a...
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Grantham
Friday 03 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.