Petworth garden thrives with a little help from its friends

A community garden in Petworth is giving green-fingered residents of all ages and abilities the chance to get their hands dirty whatever the weather thanks to Southern Water.

Petworth Community Garden, near Station Road, received a grant from the company through the Sussex Community Foundation. The funds were used to develop a wildlife area and pond, to buy seeds and provide heating for the shed, which is used as a classroom for school groups on wet days.

The garden, which is wheelchair accessible and has raised beds to allow people of all abilities to get involved in planting, weeding and watering, is visited regularly by children from Fordwater and St Anthony’s Schools in Chichester and Ingfield Manor School near Five Oaks.

Adults with learning difficulties and mother and toddlers also regularly visit along with other members of the community who are keen to learn how to grow their own food organically and promote wildlife and diversity in the area. It runs a Men’s Shed project that gives men of all ages and abilities the chance to get involved in rural crafts, share and learn new skills.

The garden is very water efficient with a number of water butts, a rainwater collection tank with a hosepipe connected and a compost toilet.

Kate Brickell, Garden Co-ordinator, said: “We are extremely grateful to Southern Water for helping us to develop our project and be accessible whatever the weather. The pond and wildlife area will allow us to help demonstrate the joy of gardening with wildlife to our members and the wider community. We have also been able to grow more organic vegetables to share. The group also has a very important social aspect that gives people across the community a chance to mix and work together.”

Victoria and Nathan (aged 15) from Fordwater Special School are both regular visitors to the garden. Victoria said: “I enjoy coming here, my favourite thing is planting and weeding and it is nice to be outside.”

Nathan added: “I like watering the plants with a watering can and using water from the water butts.”

Penny Hodge, PR Manager from Southern Water, said: “This is a great community project that gives people of all abilities the chance to get involved in gardening and growing, learn more about wildlife and work together to gain confidence. It is also a great example of how a garden can thrive without wasting water, which is very important in Sussex which is an area of serious water stress.”

Sussex Community Foundation is an organisation set up to help small community groups access funding for local projects.

To find out more visit www.petworthcommunitygarden.org.uk 

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