Appeal for help to transform derelict land into community garden in Worksop

Community groups charities and individuals are being asked to help turn Willow Tree Community Garden, in Manton into a place everyone can enjoy.

The project spearheaded by Bassetlaw CVS, an organisation providing support services to community groups, is in the early stages and organisers are appealing for ideas on how the space can be transformed.

As well as ideas the team are also appealing for funding or donations to help with the project as well as volunteers who are eager to pull up their sleeves and pitch in on the site.

Jess Allman and Sonya Bown, who are social prescribing link workers at Bassetlaw CVS and are managing the project, are eager to start work on the garden.

Jess, a social prescribing link worker covering Newgate Surgery, said: “It’s a lovely space and there is so much potential.

"We want people from all different groups to get involved so we can turn this into a lovely place for everyone to enjoy, carers, people with dementia, charity groups, just a place where people anyone can come and sit, chat and meet like minded people.

"We want to give different community groups their own areas to plant food and then be able to take their own produce home.

"We want it to be a place where people can come and make connections.

"Lockdown has really highlighted the importance of human connections and I think all of us have experienced isolation at some point during this time.

"It’s so important to get out in the fresh air and meet up with people.

"This project will bring together people from all different backgrounds who can come and enjoy spending time in the garden.”

The team hopes to clear the space, create raised beds, areas for growing flowers and food as well as peaceful places to sit and relax and meet people.

Residents or groups that want to get involved in the community garden project should email [email protected] or [email protected] or message the Bassetlaw CVS Facebook page.

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