In November 2019 Westfield Community Association (WCA) applied to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for something called a ’Pocket Park Grant’ – money to turn a local derelict site in the middle of a deprived and challenged area into a small community garden that would hopefully restore a sense of pride, as well as provide residents with a pleasant space for physical and mental recuperation.
The garden project was led by the Westfield Community Association supported by government and council grants, housing provider Abri, and lots of local organisations including: Jones Building Group, Spark Somerset, YMCA, South Somerset District Council, Wessex Water, Bradfords, Westfield Academy, Creation Generation, Ryalls Park Medical Centre, Westfield Co-op, St Peter’s Community Centre, and Yeovil College.
Mike Chant, from Westfield Community Association, shares the journey of the garden.
WCA was awarded £15,000 – enough, we thought, to create a garden in a few months. Over the next two years and four months, it quickly became obvious that it did not even cover the cost of clearing the land. The pandemic, limited numbers of WCA members able to be involved, and a shortage of volunteers also challenged us in the process. We faced countless unexpected legal, environmental, practical, and financial issues, which came close at times to overwhelming the project and those involved, and, especially recently, making it an almost full-time endeavour.
On Saturday 12 March 2022 the day finally arrived when we were ready to open Westfield Community Garden to the public. It is certainly not a finished product but will continue to evolve as new volunteers come forward and residents enjoy what is being created.
12 March 2022 was a watershed for WCA and the community. We were anxious, but thanks to sunny skies and a sudden arrival of new and enthusiastic volunteers, the day could not have been better. From the setting up of gazebos, signs, filling puddles with gravel, putting up the school-designed competition bunting, storing the refreshments, finalising equipment and more, to the final clearing up, we felt rewarded at last for persevering. One WCA member commented: “by far the best attended WCA event since its formation in 2007”.
While the Mayor was giving her speech, the High Sheriff of Somerset joined the proceedings and both played very active roles engaging with local residents and guests. Amongst the many pebbles painted for the garden path we now have one created by the High Sheriff himself with his own insignia.
Stoke-sub-Hamdon Brass Band played as people arrived, we had no idea how many might come and still cannot be sure of figures, but 200+ would not be a bad guess. Ex-residents had come from as far afield as Devon. Free food and drink vouchers were handed out at the gate. The Town Crier did his job in resplendent regalia and children enjoyed holding his bell whilst being photographed next to him. Pebbles were decorated at the popular painting table, for many Ukrainian yellow and blue colours were the order of the day. The Community Librarian told his stories which he had composed especially for the occasion and the Community Centre Knit & Natter group had made dozens of woolly worry worms which went down well. The chess and snakes & ladders boards integral to the wheelchair-accessible picnic table were well used (though we’re still trying to find a black pawn lost in the grass!).
Before the brass band gave way to Yeovil Ukulele Band, the time had come for the formal proceedings. Two, Year Seven students from Westfield Academy held a ribbon across the central path whilst the Mayor officially opened the garden. It was particularly poignant that the Mayor admitted to a tear, such was the impact of the event, the garden’s transformation and its potential for the community. Ribbon cut, applause faded, and time to move to the centre of the Ring of Blossom, a national symbol of a sign of hope for coming out of the pandemic, where the Mayor planted a cherry tree to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. She also reminded us of those who were no longer with us but who had played their part in our community and would have loved the garden.
With the ukuleles entertaining us, people of all ages experimented with the exercise equipment (chosen and planned in conjunction with the local medical centre) and the balance-testing agility trail. The bug hotel was built with the help of many children, who then sowed sunflower seeds alongside. On the WCA stand, conversations took place to encourage local residents to join in supporting this exciting new venture.
The dedicated team has worked with enormous patience and against the odds, with the valuable support from local organisations and companies, schools and councils. WCA has brought the garden into being and created a legacy, marking a positive turning point for the community. It is the plan now that new volunteers will step forward to take this exciting project forward and we are already encouraged by interest shown.