Blossoming talent helps transform Preston allotments and community garden

Bleasdale Street East Community Garden Pic: CGA

Blossoming talent has helped to transform several allotments in Preston and a community garden.

Community Gateway Association (CGA) joined forces with The Prince’s Trust to transformed some green spaces.

Remedial work required at CGA’s Moor Nook Allotments in Ribbleton and at its Bleasdale Street East Community Garden in Preston city centre, provided an opportunity for ten young people working with the charity to get stuck in for two weeks.

Overgrown sections have been completely cut back, weeds extracted, new wood chippings laid, raised beds pruned and all paths and ground-level sections have been completely tidied.

The Mayor of Preston, councillor Phil Crowe, visited the Moor Nook Allotments on Friday 14 June to take a look at the work and congratulate the young people on the completion of their 12-week project.

Claire Smith, head of culture and engagement at Community Gateway Association, said: “Here at CGA, we understand how important it is to collaborate with charities and partners in our communities to help them with their goals and aspirations – and in this instance, we’ve helped 10 brilliant young people with their 12-week Prince’s Trust project and in turn, they’ve delivered some outstanding work on the community garden and allotments.

“I was amazed to see the total transformation at both sites, and I would like to thank all ten of them for their hard work and wish them the very best of luck for the future.

“It’s also important to recognise the key roles of the team leaders, Anji Hesketh and John Jenkins from The Prince’s Trust, and of course the kind donations of shrubs, fruit and vegetables from Let’s Grow Preston and Holland House Garden Centre in Walton-le-Dale.

“Without them, this project wouldn’t have been possible, and our tenants wouldn’t be turning up to find their allotment spaces and community garden completely overhauled and massively improved.

“It was a real privilege to be joined by the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Phil Crowe, on Friday 14 June and it means a lot to receive that recognition – not just for the 10 fantastic young people involved, but for this entire community too.”

CGA owns the Moor Nook Allotments in Preston where there are 14 beds available to rent with an annual rental fee.

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