Residents in Bestwood are getting an early Christmas present – a new community garden thanks to a £24,976.75 grant from funding body WREN.
The money, awarded by WREN’s FCC Community Action Fund, has been used to improve the outside area at the Bestwood Estate Community Centre on Gainsford Crescent, Bestwood.
Cllr David Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council said: “We are proud to be able to launch this new community garden in Bestwood after being awarded the WREN Funding. This really is a fantastic community initiative and we hope residents in Bestwood will use and enjoy the space.”
Sharon Fullerton, a volunteer at Bestwood Community Centre, believes the facility will make a huge difference to the lives of people living in the area. She says: “This project will provide a real boost to the people using Bestwood Estate Community Centre. It’s fantastic that WREN has awarded us this money and we’re really looking forward to officially opening our community garden.”
WREN is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, biodiversity and heritage projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund.
Groundworks and Nottingham City Council have supported the implementation of this project. The funding has been used to provide a usable outdoor space for the whole community and for community centre groups and activities; these will include accessible footpaths for the disabled, paved seating area, events and craft space. Timber sleepers will provide a grassed informal play space with seating around an amphitheatre and raised plant beds with sensory planting providing year round interest, wildlife value and gardening opportunities. A wheeled toy area, picnic area, new gates and relocation of existing railings will provide safe, secure environment for users of all ages and abilities.
Members of the community are invited to the official opening which is taking place on Saturday 10 December from 1pm until 2pm at Bestwood Estate Community Centre, Gainsford Crescent, Bestwood.