Local schoolpupils show off their green fingers in Tasley
Local schoolpupils from St Leonards Primary School in Bridgnorth showed their gardening talents and community spirit at a recent community garden event on Thursday 7 April 2011.
Seventeen children and four teachers from St Leonards Primary School joined forces with residents, local and town councillors, community support officers and street scene and housing officers from Shropshire Council to landscape the roadside community green on Sydney Cottage Drive.
The event, organised by Shropshire Council’s landlord services, was part of the Garden Green Project developed by a working group of the Bridgnorth West and Tasley Taking Action Together Partnership. The project was organised in response to issues and requests raised by residents who attended the partnership’s community drop-In event on 29 January 2011 where residents suggested creating a community green to enhance their neighbourhood.
Key members of the working group included headteacher Mrs Ferriday and the children, who submitted many design ideas for the new garden. The trees and plants were bought from New Barns Nurseries of Hilton, who kindly donated 12 shrubs. A litter bin and a ‘no dog fouling’ sign will be added later in the summer.
Councillor Malcolm Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing, said:
“The Garden Green Project is a fantastic example of getting local residents and children working together with our officers and partners. It is brilliant to see this community coming together to improve the area and to create a garden that will be used and nurtured for years to come, and one I am sure that local residents and children will be very proud of.”
The children worked along with Shropshire Councillors Les Winwood and John Hurst-Knight, town councillor Connie Baines, WM Police CSO Mandy Leek, three members of Shropshire Council’s street scene team, several adult residents, and project manager Yvette Greasley from landlord services, to plant up two new beds prepared by Bridgnorth Town Council on the community green.
Councillor Les Winwood, a Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth West and Tasley, said:
“I wish to thank the residents for their input and support, and to thank the partnership for making the garden project possible.”
Councillor John Hurst-Knight, a Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth West and Tasley, commented:
“The work of all during the afternoon was tremendous. Various partners contributed to making the area a welcome site for the residents of Sydney Cottage Drive, particularly the pupils of St Leonards School. They worked with such enthusiasm to complete the project on time.”
Local resident Joyce Green added:
“We would like to thank the partnership and the local children for taking the trouble to make the area so much better.”
The project is one of a number of initiatives being planned and delivered by the partnership, which was put together and is being co-ordinated by Shropshire Council’s landlord services. It is part of a multi-agency ‘Neighbourhood Local Offer’ that includes housing providers, town and parish councils, councillors, police, fire service, schools, and several Shropshire Council service areas, who get together with local residents to share resources and address priority issues.
One of the future aims of the partnership is to encourage people in Tasley to form a residents forum which can liaise with the partnership and deal with issues of local concern together. Yvette Greasley explained:
“We want to help local people set up support networks, also social, work and leisure activities, possibly using a social media website managed by a local volunteer.”
Chris Edwards, Shropshire Council’s Area Director, commented:
“The Bridgnorth West and Tasley Taking Action Together Partnership will form the blueprint for rolling out in other Bridgnorth-area towns as part of the council’s ‘Local Offer’ in partnership with other housing providers and local agencies.”
For further information on Tasley’s ‘Local Offer’ contact Yvette Greasley, Partnership Co-ordinator and Resident Involvement Officer, at Shropshire Council’s landlord services on 01746 713255.
