Community Garden

A group of green-fingered residents have given up their time to develop a community garden into something that the people of Pontyclun will come together to use and enjoy.

After forming an official committee, the team were invited to apply for funding to develop the garden by putting in more raised beds and extra benches, they are also hoping to improve access to the woods behind the garden.

The garden was initially started in January 2017 when children from Pontyclun Primary planted a number of fruit trees using money donated by Rybec Homes. The group have since received further funding from the Interlink Community Action Fund and Pontyclun Community Council.

Following the installation of two raised beds last May, an area of turf has now been removed in the community garden area and a number of raised beds will be installed which will be used to grow fruit and vegetables for community use. Local residents will be welcomed to sow, plant and harvest their choice of produce with the support and encouragement of the Pontyclun Community Garden Committee.

Lisa Williams, Founder and Chair of the committee said:

1. “We are very excited that plans to develop the garden are now going full steam ahead. We have come a long way since the initial idea 18 months ago and we are very lucky to have a dedicated and enthusiastic group of volunteers on the committee. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support we have received from local businesses and the community and we’d love to see that continue over the coming months and years. We’d particularly like to thank Pontyclun Community Council, who have allowed us to use the park for this project.”

On Saturday 5th May the team have organised a free bench building workshop that will be run by Sam Holt from Eggseeds at the Pontyclun Athletic Club between 10am–4pm. The aim is to provide local people with the tools and equipment needed to make benches for the community garden out of wooden pallets and should help the team realise further their dreams of making the garden accessible and usable for all. Details of the event can be found on the Facebook page Pontyclun Community Garden.

Alongside developing the garden’s facilities, the committee are also committed to improving wildlife habitats and biodiversity in the area and are asking for volunteers to help. There are plans to improve access to the woods behind the garden and develop a nature trail with bug hotels and bird boxes.

Lisa added:

1. “We’d love as many local residents as possible to be involved and take ownership of the garden — no experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome!”

We will be opening the garden on two weekends every month for a couple of hours on a Saturday and Sunday.