Volunteers make plastic fantastic greenhouse!

When volunteers wanted to do something extra special at their allotment in Llwynhendy, a great idea ‘popped’ in to their head.

Hundreds of used plastic pop bottles have been collected by volunteers, and are being used to create an eco-friendly greenhouse at the Dwyfor ‘Growing Spaces’ allotment, based near the grounds of the Llys Caradog Respite Centre.

The project is well underway, and council tenants and community volunteers have been busy getting involved in the build.

The idea came from the community as part of their voluntary work under Carmarthenshire County Council’s Pride in Your Patch scheme, one of several off-shoots of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus – a £220million investment programme in council homes and communities.

Local member, Cllr Sharen Davies, and Executive Board Member for housing, Cllr Tegwen Devichand, are among those who’ve been taking a keen interest in the project and have congratulated volunteers for getting involved in something that will not only benefit their community, but the environment too.

“The greenhouse is really starting to take shape, and I’m told it will be ready in time for Spring for volunteers to start growing,” said Cllr Davies. “I think it’s a brilliant idea.”

The Dwyfor Growing Spaces allotment project was launched in 2011 by the Llwynhendy Environmental Group, with around 20 full-sized plots and three raised beds used for planting fruit and vegetables.

Cllr Devichand added: “I never fail to be amazed at the different projects that our tenants and volunteers come up with as part of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus investment. The investment is so much more than bricks and mortar, we are investing in people and their communities, and the Dwyfor Growing Spaces is a prime example.”