Community garden in Salisbury's Cathedral Close needs volunteers

A 'sustainably focussed' space has been created at Arundells

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 22nd Jan 2023

A community garden project at one of Salisbury's most famous addresses is in need of more volunteers to help maintain it into the Spring.

The walled garden at Arundells in the Cathedral Close is being transformed, as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund programme.

It's aimed at bringing an overgrown piece of land, that was once former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath's vegetable patches, back to life.

Military veterans from Alabaré's Boots on the Ground scheme have been working to clear the space.

Volunteers have been helping to get the garden cleared, but more are needed to take it to the next level

They've put in a raised bed, greenhouse, forged benches and a pond.

Led by Rebecca Twigg from Kingdom of Sticks, the project now needs some extra green fingers to help take the garden forward:

"We are keen to hear from anyone who has a gardening and wildlife interest and who can become one of our new volunteers from March 2023.

“The garden will not have the usual ‘drop in’ style that some other community gardens have, because we have to limit numbers due to the size and layout of the gated garden site."

The community gardens is planed to 'complement the formal grounds at Arundells into a tranquil, sheltered space to enjoy nature and gardening'.

Volunteers will be invited to get involved in a new Wednesday group, set up in partnership with the Activity Alliance’s Get Out Get Active (GOGA) scheme.

It's set to be an inclusive group, enabling people with a wide range of access needs to garden together.

It'll begin once works on an accessible pathway and wet weather shelter have been completed.

There are plans to make the garden accessible to all - and be an addition to the famous Arundells grounds

Rebecca said they'd like all sorts of people to get involved:

"The ethos of the garden is sustainable, wildlife friendly and very much about slow gardening, mindfulness and being outside in the fresh air.

"So while you do need to have an interest in organic gardens, nature and wildlife, it is also going to be a good place to be for someone who would simply like to find new community connections, and a peaceful place to sit and watch the world go by."

To find out more about being a volunteer, please contact Rebecca Twigg in the first instance via the Kingdom of Sticks website.

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