Our volunteers dig deep to transform community garden
Kmfm and Kent Reliance give plot some TLC
A team of volunteers battled record-breaking temperatures to give a community garden in Maidstone a magical makeover as part of Project Kent. Shepway Chariots was this year’s chosen charity to get a little TLC from the KM Group’s radio station, kmfm, which once again joined forces with Kent Reliance for the scheme.
Over the past week, 30 volunteers and presenters have been digging, weeding, chopping, planting, painting and decorating to turn a once overgrown space off Hampshire Drive into an enchanted corner and wildlife area for local families.
Garry and Laura from kmfm Breakfast said: “We loved getting stuck in with the Kent Reliance volunteers in various areas of the garden and it was great to get involved in such a community focused project.
“We enjoyed spending time with the charity’s team and can’t wait to see how they progress from here.”
Shepway Chariots is a community garden and wildlife corner run completely by volunteers. The green space, measuring half an acre, encourages local residents and families to learn how to grow, tend and harvest their own fresh fruit and vegetables. Nikki Gough, Shepway Chariots founder, said: “The guys have done a fantastic job, they’ve powered on in the heat and I love it. “It’s brilliant and I can’t wait for people to come and see it.” The charity works hard to spread awareness about the environment, biodiversity and wildlife, and does its own recycling and composting on site.
The small team at Shepway Chariots have regular visits from local primary schools, nurseries and families and hold a free children’s gardening club on Saturday mornings called Shepway Shallots.
The whole community in Shepway and the surrounding area can now can enjoy the sensory elements of the enchanted corner and add their own fairy doors and ornaments.
Plus, the children can visit the beehive, explore the ponds and wildlife areas and play in the revamped classroom and nature hideaway on rainy days.
Lisa Clinton, representing Kent Reliance on the Project Kent team, said: “We chose this project because it was driven by residents giving up their own time to transform their community. “Our hope is that seeing what’s possible here inspires others to do the same where they live.”