Growing Spaces

 

Llwynhendy Environmental Group is celebrating after receiving almost £70,000 to turn a redundant piece of ground, well known for fly tipping, into a vibrant community growing site.

 

The Group has used the funds for a community growing space project which will see fruit and vegetables being grown and residents being given training to learn new skills.

Richard Davie, chair of the group said: “This is an exciting project for the Communities First Llwynhendy ward. It will not only provide residents with plots to produce fresh food and to take part in healthy recreational exercise, but will also help to integrate the community as growing spaces are excellent for getting to know new people.”

Work began in March, and the project has seen the area transform from a site of overgrown vegetation and rubbish, into 16 growing plots, with the addition of raised beds for gardeners of all ages.

Lindy Butler, Communities First Co-ordinator, said: “This project was one of the first ideas that Communities First Llwynhendy looked at in the community, and it is a pleasure to see the site turn into an area of benefit to our residents.

“This is an exciting time, and we would like to thank the many people have worked very hard to make this project a success, including representatives from Foothold Regeneration, Carmarthenshire County Council, Llanelli Rural Council, Communities First, Keep Wales Tidy and local residents.”

The sum of £30,000 was received from the Welsh Government Local Environmental Quality Improvement Fund, and a total of £35,000 from Carmarthenshire County Council’s Collaboration Fund and Environmental Works Project.

The council’s waste section has been providing help and advice on composting and recycling. Home composting is one of the most environmentally-friendly ways of dealing with garden waste.

Carmarthenshire County Council executive board business manager Cllr Pam Palmer said: “The county council is delighted to see this new Community Growing site opened after initially putting this idea forward to the community.

“It is part of our wider support to helping communities develop their own growing schemes and officers continue to assist in making this happen in other parts of the county.

“This particular scheme has transformed a former council-owned area of land and not only puts it to productive use but will help engender a stronger community that learns to care for and manage the site.”

To find out more details contact Gillian Handscomb, Communities First Development Officer on 01554 780288 or email ghandscomb@footholdregeneration.co.uk.