Rewarding the ‘Green-Fingered’ Community of Townsend
The Green Pennant is a national award that has been awarded to the community of Townsend. This is the third Green Pennant that Bournemouth has received!
The Townsend Community Garden has received recognition for all the hard work the local community action group; the Townsend Together Team, have put in to creating and sustaining such a beautiful green space. A special thank you goes to local resident Dave Sheppard for his commitment and time in the garden.
The Townsend Community Garden was once a disused play area known for fly tipping and was transformed by the local community into an attractive and colourful garden for everyone to enjoy.
Local resident, Dave Sheppard said “The garden is a real asset to Townsend. It is a place that residents can come to relax and enjoy. It’s fantastic news that Townsend has received its third Green Pennant for Bournemouth.”
Notes:
The Green Pennant Award is a national award that recognises high quality green spaces in England and Wales that are managed by voluntary and community groups.
The Award has an impressive and established background – it’s part of the Green Flag Award scheme, the national standard for quality parks and green spaces.
The Green Pennant Award is run by the Civic Trust and supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
For more information please contact Caroline Abbis on 466125.
HISTORY
The Townsend Community Garden was a project undertaken by the Townsend Together Team or 3T's as it is known locally in 2006. A disused play area known for fly tipping was transformed over two weekends into a brilliant Community Garden for everyone to enjoy.
Over 400 plants and shrubs were planted into the garden by members of the community and helpers from the Townsend Together Team. Nearly 30 tonnes of soil were used to fill 4 new raised beds. Seating and bird boxes were also placed in the garden, and the fences surrounding the garden were all given a lick of paint.
Terry Colbourne, Parks Operation Officer said ‘this is a great opportunity for the residents of Townsend to help improve their local environment and take ownership of their open spaces. However, they now have the hard work of keeping it maintained and looking good!’
The Townsend Community Garden was a true partnership project with various organisations & companies working together with the local residents including young people to create a beautiful garden. The Community Development Team gave support for finding funding for the project. Parks & Countryside Grounds Maintenance Team built the raised beds and designed the garden; Housing Landlord Services agreed for the Townsend Together Team to take over responsibility of the land and use for the benefit of the community; Landscape & Technical Services provided the matting surrounding the raised beds and seating; Cherry Tree Nursery provided plants and assistance; Barclay’s Bank and JP Morgan provided volunteers and funding for the raised beds and extra plants; Dorset Wildlife Trust provided compost bins and tools for the volunteers and worked with the young people to build bird boxes; Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water & Housing Landlord Services worked in partnership to lay pipe work for a water supply in the garden and B&Q have provided additional funding so we can buy new plants and equipment to keep the garden looking great. Mc Donalds at Castle Point and Townsend Community Centre provided food for the hard workers during the project!
Why not vote for the Townsend Community Garden to be the 'People's Choice' Site of the Year Award by clicking here.
The ongoing maintenance of the garden will be the responsibility of the local residents.
For more information please contact Caroline Abbis on 01202 466125.