A resident thanks us after receiving an award from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and BBC One Show's Growing Together Award.
After taking action to improve an unused area into a community garden in Plymouth, local volunteers have transformed the land above an old air raid shelter into a community haven with blooming flowers and vegetables to feed the community.
Designed to find community groups who have encouraged local people to get in touch with nature, the new competition has found communities across the country who have transformed local areas into green spaces.
Our resident, Linda Clark who is a dedicated volunteer gardener at Melbourne Green in Plymouth, entered the competition for the community’s efforts and is proud of their achievements.
Lynn Clark, our resident and volunteer gardener, said: “We thought, 'let’s clear up the area’. The council came and put big boulders up and then roughly 25 of us had an open day so people can share their ideas about the land.
“It’s now down to the faithful five but for a while it was a good few of us. We cleared and sorted it out and then went from there really.
“This is now our second year, and it has been a real community effort especially for a lot of people in this area. Unless you live here, you wouldn’t have come into this area really. But now people walk their dog right here. People come out of their house, and they now know each other.”
After accidently stumbling across the Growing Together Award competition one evening from watching the BBC One Show, the local volunteers decided to enter after having a successful harvest.
She said: “It was for community gardens and what people have turned them from and into, so we just entered it and I submitted before and after photos. We didn’t win anything, but we got an Achievement Award from the Royal Horticultural show and the BBC, so we got some recognition from them.
From harvesting lots of lettuce, tomatoes and sweetcorn during the summer months, Lynn reflects on the local produce the group has harvested this year, which has been used by local resident and charity kitchens.
Lynn added: “We grow lots of produce and we have a lot if it on the table so that people can help themselves but, if there’s an awful lot, we donate it to charity kitchens.
“There is always plenty on the table and people can always help themselves. I think homegrown produce is 99 times better than what you’ll buy in any shop. My fridge is full of tomato soup and tomato sauce already for the winter,” she smiles.
“Because people prefer fresh produce, especially soup kitchens so we donate, and they give back. This is my baby and I just love everything about it. Even my husband built all the beds and all the wooden structures.
During the 1800s, the area was used as a paddock for resting and unloading horses along their journey to market. At the start of the war, the area was turned an underground air raid shelter.
Following the war, the shelter was filled in with rubble and turned into a washing line facility but with the introduction of household driers the area became derelict.
Lynn explained: “It was an air raid shelter underneath and there were railway lines underneath here. And we still see the Railway Society, they do tours around this area, and they still come round and have a look to see where the trains used to come round here.
“I’ve been here 30 years but we’re still learning because somebody else will come round and say, ‘oh, I remember this 50 years ago’ and say something we didn't know.
“It’s amazing what you can do, isn’t it? I just think, you know, when people see what you can make from our produce, even if it’s just vegetable soup. Winter is coming, and we don’t need to go to the shops and buy things, we’ve got it all here.”
For the local community, the two-year-old garden, quickly became the main talking point for the area. Lynn appreciates the support LiveWest have given her to get the garden looking so great.
“When we first came here, LiveWest came out they gave us vouchers for plants and paint. The workmen who live round here in the LiveWest vans come round here and anything that they're throwing away, they drop off here for us. So, I can't fault LiveWest, they're good.
“I would say LiveWest has backed us 100% with what we've done, and they want to see it continue happening.
“I think it’s great LiveWest supports the community. We've done a lot for the area as well because some of the graffiti we painted over, but I think LiveWest like what we do to keep it nice.
“They gave us paint to paint all these rocks, but they didn't give us the workmen to do it!”, Lynn joked.
“It’s where we live so you've got to keep it nice. And I think even people who don't actually live here, that walk past here appreciate it but the kids love it because they're coming out to learn and they're appreciate things and they're learning from you.”
Lorna Turnbull, our Community Connector, said: “It is wonderful to see the hard work and dedication that has brought this community garden to life.
“I know Lynn and the community here have worked really hard to bring this area to life and its fantastic to see that the garden is also helping to feed the community.
“I think it also promotes a healthier way of eating because if someone’s cooking and they need a herb or tomato, they will just come down to the garden. It’s amazing to see.
“At LiveWest we believe in creating a better future for the communities we serve, and this project is already having a direct, positive impact on those living in this area of Plymouth.“