Reading residents go green to brighten neighbourhood
A group of residents from Alan Place in Reading dug deep at an event to create a thriving new community garden.
Some 30 local volunteers and staff from Sanctuary Housing turned out in force to plant a variety of bulbs and seeds and give an area of underused land a much-needed makeover.
Joining in was special guest, The Right Worshipful Mayor of Reading, Councillor Deborah Edwards, who helped out by planting a cherry tree.
The event also marked ‘Make a Difference Day’ - a national campaign that encourages people to give their time and skills to play an active role in improving their local community.
Designed to brighten the lives of residents, the project has been made possible thanks to the Alan Place Residents’ Association, which will now maintain the garden. Funders Sanctuary Housing, Food4Families and law firm Wragge & Co, which provided pro bono legal advice, are also supporting the garden’s growth.
As well as helping to create the new garden, residents were encouraged to comment on proposals to build a new play area for the benefit of local for youngsters. This activity marked the start of a consultation process, during which residents can voice their views and help take the plans forward.
Sanctuary resident Rose Williams, secretary for Alan Place Residents’ Association, said: “A big thank you is owed to Sanctuary staff and local residents and their children who mucked in on the day. This is the start of an exciting project for us all.”
Ian McDermott, Sanctuary Group’s Chief Operating Officer, added: “I would like to congratulate the residents of Alan Place whose ambitions to create a pleasant and enjoyable environment for the whole community has been turned into reality.
“It’s been a real pleasure to take part in this planting activity which has transformed the gardens. I’m sure they will be an absolute blaze of colour next Spring.”