BEST COMMUNITY GARDEN
THIS award goes to fantastic and inspiring community gardening projects who are making their local area a greener place to live. Our winner, taking home £1,000 prize money and a Miracle-Gro® hamper, is Woodlands Community Garden based in the heart of Glasgow – a green oasis that was once a derelict site.
NOW a much-loved community resource, it’s used for volunteering, education, play and socialising. It’s a hub where each year around 50 households grow their own fruit, veg and herbs.
With many residents not having access to their own gardens, it’s an important part of the community as an accessible green space. The garden has a hub for meetings and socialising which encourages the community to come together to share stories, tips and support. As well as this there is a performance stage area for events which children can use to put on shows and share their love for gardening.
Tim Cowen who runs Woodlands Community Garden said: “The pandemic has challenged us all and created huge pressures. We knew that our community garden has been helping people by providing a lifeline space for them and to come together and find comfort in the beauty of nature. It’s so wonderful to have our hard work recognised, as the best in the UK. After a difficult year, it’s really boosted our spirits.” ●●Second place went to Winsford Gardens, Penge Green Gym, London, who win £500 and a Miracle-Gro® hamper.Third prize went to Root ‘n’ Fruit, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, taking home £250 and a hamper.Two further highly-commended projects,Taff Community Allotment, Cardiff, and Ahimsa Allotment, Leeds, each also receive hampers.