Bringing life and colour to a corner of Bridgnorth

Residents of Tasley Close in Bridgnorth have been expressing their delight at the gradual transformation of their cul-de-sac in recent months.  The jewel in the crown is a new community garden.

Members of the Community Garden Working Group have been working hard to create their eagerly-awaited flower beds, with the support of two Shropshire Councillors and officers from Shropshire Council’s landlord services and community action team.

The community garden project was suggested by residents from Tasley Close following the first community drop-in event held last year.  The Bridgnorth West and Tasley Taking Action Together Partnership fully supported the idea and it was added as a new project to the responsive action plan.

Led by residents Mandy Chubb, Paul Griffiths and Mike Jones, a working group was formed, including Councillor Les Winwood who lives nearby, and the council’s resident involvement officer, Yvette Greasley, who agreed to support the group with project management tasks.

The group was granted funding for half of the project cost through the Community Chest scheme run by Shropshire Council’s landlord services.  Bridgnorth Town Council, which is also a member of the partnership, generously donated the labour and tools to cut out the six large new beds in the lawns fronting the flats.

The plants came from local firm New Barns Nursery at Hilton, and the bark mulch from Lewis Arborcare of Bridgnorth, who both offered the community group discounts to bring the project within the grant award.  The balance required was contributed by members of the group.

The beds contain a majority of native plants and herbs which not only provide colour all year round, but are also beneficial to wildlife, with some hopefully producing edible fruits next year.  Bulbs planted round the edge of the circular beds should generate a burst of bright colours in the spring.

Local councillors Les Winwood and John Hurst-Knight said:

“This has been a fantastic example of residents getting together to improve the environment where they live.  I’m sure everyone will agree that the new garden is a great addition to Tasley Close and will be a real benefit to the people who live there.”

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for housing, Councillor Mal Price, added:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved with this project, which is just one of a number of successful schemes initiated by the partnership to improve Tasley Close.”

This resident initiative is the final physical improvement project for Tasley Close, following the completion of the new car park, communal bin compound, attractive name signs for the three blocks (Pine, Cedar and Poplar) which were chosen by residents, and a new litter and dog waste bin.

The other three projects which are currently being taken forward are: A local lettings plan for Tasley Close; a Good Neighbour Agreement endorsed by all the partners which residents will be asked to sign in the next few weeks; and finally a sustainable innovative community safety project for which a funding bid for £50,000 has been submitted to central government.