BGU Grant F'back 2024 Daisy Hill CC Gdn

Daisy Hill Cricket Club Community Garden | Monday 08 April 2024 | 0 Comments

Thank-you so much for the grant from BGU
We found the application process very easy. We also knew that support was available at Bolton Green Umbrella if we needed it.

We have purchased a variety of fruit bushes, plants and seeds (flowers and vegetables) to allow us to grow more of our own produce this year.  We also purchased some additional soil.

We have recently made some additional raised beds (using recycled wood) and we used the money to purchase soil to fill those (we did apply for free compost via Suez and was successful, however due to the size and number of beds, we needed additional soil).  This has allowed us to grow a wider variety of fruit, vegetables and flowers.  This grant has allowed us to develop the site into a lovely area for the community.  Thank you for the grant, it has allowed us to develop parts of the garden that we wouldn’t have been able to do without this money.

One volunteer has become involved on a daily basis and he has stated that this project has been a ‘life saver’ for him.  Everyone involved feels that they are playing a big part in developing this derelict site into something for the community. All the volunteers feel part of a team.

It has become a focal point in the local area and now the word has spread more and more people are coming to visit the garden.Lots of locals are now coming to the site to see the developments and are staying to sit in the garden area with others, so a spin-off is the friendships that are being made. We have people coming along to visit the garden as they have heard about it from others in the community and lots have offered items that can be re-used eg plant pots, pieces of wood, water butts.

Everyone who visits the site have said they cannot believe the transformation of what was a ‘dumping ground’. A couple of recent comments:

‘What a wonderful job the volunteers have done here.  It used to be an eyesore, it’s been transformed’

‘I love coming here to sit in the garden and chat to whoever is around, it makes such a difference when you live on your own.  Everyone makes me feel welcome’.

"I really enjoy coming down and spending time here.  I see something different each time I come and it’s lovely at this time of the year when the daffodils are out"