A TEAM of green-fingered volunteers braved the hot weather to help tidy up a secluded garden at Startforth Community Centre that has become overgrown.
The garden at the side of the centre had become a little overgrown with plants, shrubs and weeds all blossoming in the warm summer weather.
Judith Rodwell, from the community centre, said: “It’s such a lovely space and very tranquil but a bit overgrown now with everything being shut down.”
The garden was originally created when the community centre was still the village primary school, complete with a variety of unusual structures including a plastic bottle greenhouse and giant pencil statues.
The tranquil space has a mixture of ornamental shrubs, fruit trees and raised beds which were used for growing vegetables.
“The staff at the nursery [Kirklands] did managed to use the garden with the children during lockdown,” she added. “But everything has grown so much. With things easing up now we put together a working party to try to get some of the plants back under control but we’re always looking for more people to help out.
“We’re always looking for willing volunteers at the community centre to help with things like gardening, maintenance and painting, but it’s usually when needs occur,” she added.
“Once we have the garden sorted, we will look to have seats in it, to give people somewhere to sit if they are not comfortable being inside for any events.”
Volunteer Maggie Rhodes said: “It would be really ideal if someone wants a bit of green space to take care of on a night or at the weekend as none of us are gardeners.”
Anyone who is interested in getting involved with Startforth Community Centre should Mrs Rodwell on 07747 169902 or email Judith.rodwell275@btinternet.com
