LOCAL HERO

Community nurse Fiona Durling spends her spare time nurturing a rural oasis for all to enjoy

The community garden that’s a haven for all, thanks to its volunteers

The garden holds open days for visitors; Fiona next to one of the beehives; Andy, Fiona’s husband, and long-term volunteer Bert Barton on a sunny day’s apple-picking

It has not been easy to find refuge from recent events, but there is one place I know I can rely on. Pevensey & Westham Community Forest Garden is an acre and a half of former allotment land in East Sussex, and an unexpected haven. From the entrance next to a busy road, its small gate surrounded by overgrowth, you wouldn’t guess an oasis lies inside – the reward of four years’ hard work by a multitude of volunteers. Among our most dedicated contributors are retirees Rosemary and Bert Barton, who created the herb garden and have maintained pathways over the years. All who come – be it to get hands muddy or simply sit and enjoy a flask of coffee, see blue tits flitting through buddleias and hear the soft ‘yaffle’ of woodpeckers among willow – find it hard to stay sad.

The land had been used as allotments for 100 years. An elderly neighbour told me that the luscious blackberries were planted way back by her grandmother. But some 20 years ago, allotment holders gave up the fight against invading rabbits and in 2016 a parish councillor proposed it be reinvented as a community garden. Locals formed a committee, of which I am chair, and people give as much time as they can spare.

The garden has evolved as a series of connecting arbours and clearings. We follow forest garden principles where trees, shrubs and perennial plants, mostly edible, intermingle to mimic natural woodland. If brambles dominate, we cut them back; when nettles overrun, it’s their turn for the chop, but nothing is eradicated. We have fruiting shrubs and vegetable beds and everything benefits the overall ecology in some way.

I am a community nurse and have lived in the area for 20 years – it is having those strong roots that made me keen to be involved. Also, my parents ran a horticultural nursery, so gardening is in my blood.

One of my tasks is to fundraise.

We sell apple pies and honey at local events, and proceeds help buy trees, but most of the produce is shared by volunteers and visitors. We had an excellent crop of juicy James Grieve apples last year, of which a large box went to the primary school. Seeing nature thrive in its glorious diversity feels good. Common lizards are a frequent sight, while weasels have been seen dashing between hedges. Professional beekeeper Jennifer Moore oversees the hives, teaching volunteers to help. Our magnificent pond was built in a day by 20 volunteers. Sulphur yellow marsh marigolds sit next to a small ‘frog cave’, where our resident Froggy is often seen peeking out. Many of our talented volunteers hold workshops. There’s fruit tree pruning and a Wassail in January and pond-dipping in spring. Our potter Barbara Butterworth runs family clay workshops and Jane Wilde, aka ‘The Composting Queen’, shows groups how to create compost and nettle tea fertiliser. There’s a Mindfulness in Nature group, run by my husband Andy and, come December, we gather dogwood and holly for wreath making. Every season brings beauty and cheer. Let’s hope those normal rhythms are restored to us soon.