Green-fingered volunteers wanted in Tendring
They are needed to help maintain public gardens
More volunteers are needed to help look after Tendring's public gardens.
Volunteers play their part in the upkeep of open spaces across the area, including Clacton’s seafront gardens, Walton-on-the-Naze and Cliff Park in Dovercourt, for which Tendring District Council’s (TDC) horticulture team are responsible for planting and maintaining.
They help to plant new and replacement flowers, keep weeds at bay, and generally make sure the areas look nice.
There is also the chance to get involved in other projects too.
Diane Sexton, one of the volunteer team at Clacton’s seafront gardens, said:
"It’s great to help out the community and make friends, and it is so good for your mental and physical health.
"Just being together, especially after lockdown, is fantastic and we do have a laugh and get on well as a team.
"People love the gardens and come and thank us, so it is very rewarding and uplifting to hear all of the gratitude, and to see what it means to them.
"We’re not able to change the world but we want to look after our little bit of heaven."
Friend and fellow volunteer Rose Wilkins added:
"It’s especially nice for people in flats who don’t have a garden, to come and help out.
"The amount of visitors who say it’s so much better than what they have at home shows us how important it is for tourists, and how lucky we are."
Volunteers are supplied with equipment, including outdoor clothing, and directed by the council’s gardeners.
People can give as much or as little time as they wish to.
Michael Talbot, TDC Cabinet Member for Environment, said the involvement of the community was what made Tendring’s public gardens so special:
"Our gardening team works so incredibly hard, and do an amazing job, but they cannot be everywhere at once and also have a lot of important maintenance to do such as grass cutting in our parks and the like.
"The support given by our volunteers is vital to keeping our gardens looking at their very best, all-year around, and I heartily thank them for all that they do.
"Gardening is so good for you – getting you out in the fresh air, keeping you active – while volunteering is also a very social activity.
"So if this appeals to you, and you want to get involved in making your local area looking nice, please do sign up."
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Sean Biswell, TDC’s Temporary Community and Volunteer Projects Manager, on 07786 660603 or at seanbiswell@tendringdc.gov.uk .