The project was initiated and is being steered by Elizabeth
Millard, Chair of the Dinas Powys Residents’ Group, and Councillor Keith Hatton
(Plaid Cymru). Rob McGhee of Creative Rural Communities (Vale of Glamorgan
Council) is project-managing: that’s him
on the left in this picture of the trio photographed on the site this week.
I previously reviewed the type of grants available in the
Vale of Glamorgan for this type of project (they may be similar in other parts
of the UK). A couple of weeks ago the project was awarded £28,000 by Tidy Towns
Wales, a Welsh Assembly government initiative that funds community projects aiming
to improve the quality of the environment.
Earlier this week, Emma Hancock met Rob, Elizabeth, Keith
and I on the site. Emma is a Landscape Architect working within the Planning
and Transportation Department of the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Among her tasks
will be to look at Utility Plans (e.g., to decide on the best route to bring
water pipes to the site) and to oversee the work of contractors.
A contractor - Gerald Davies - has been chosen from among
those who put in estimates/bids for the work. The company has experience of
similar work around the Vale. Work can
start after the bird nesting season, and the contractors are expected to be on
the site by the end of October. Firstly, part of a wall will be taken down to
allow vehicle access from Sir Ivor Place (the wall will be rebuilt afterwards).
The rubber and concrete surfaces will then be broken up and removed, topsoil
will be put down, and a security fence erected around the site.
Before the contractors start work, however, there will be an
initial clearance day to cut back overgrown hedges etc. This will be held on
Saturday 20 October, starting at nearby Youldon House around 10.30 am. Everyone
is welcome (bring tools!); it will be an opportunity for those interesting in
having a plot on the community garden to meet and find out more. Creative Rural
Communities will be there with plans of the garden, which will include communal
areas and individual plots. It will also be the first step in forming a
Management Committee for the long-term maintenance of the community garden.
The Dinas Powys Community Garden has the backing of
Community Foodie, a project under the umbrella of Creative Rural Communities
and the Vale of Glamorgan Council, to identify, develop and support community
food growing. Their aim is to strengthen communities by increasing the amount
of food produce grown and consumed locally, to develop skills (e.g., local
schools will be invited to participate in the project), to promote healthy
lifestyles, and to bring people together. With a bit of luck, the Dinas Powys
Community Growing Area will achieve all these things.
I will post again shortly, with a more detailed look at the
plans for the site.
Previous Dinas Powys Community Garden posts:
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