WEST House community garden in Penarth has been named amongst the country’s best green spaces.
The community garden has been award with the Green Flag award by Keep Wales Tidy. The accolade was awarded in recognition of its high environmental standards.
Until 2018, the site was only used by visitors to West House on council business, but a Stronger Communities Fund Grant enabled Penarth Town Council to redesign the site.
Council leader Cllr Rhiannon Birch said she was delighted with the site's progress.
West House community garden awarded with Green Flag. Picture: Penarth town council
“We are so proud of how the site has grown and developed over the past four years and for all the work that staff have done to turn the site into what it is today," she said.
“Penarth Growing Community welcomes the opportunity to tend and maintain this lovely growing space in the heart of the town.
“We are delighted to have been able to contribute towards achieving the award through our community efforts, we hope the award brings more people into enjoy the space.
“We are grateful for the dedicated work of our volunteers who have tended the plot since July 2020, our aim now is to work together with the Town Council to improve the growing space.
“Increasing biodiversity, learning more about urban food growing and sharing skills, and spending time together in the Garden.”
West House community garden named amongst the country's best green space. Picture: Penarth Town Council
Since 2018, the West House Community Garden has come on leaps and bounds.
The site has become Bee Friendly due to its increased range of planting, elimination of pesticide use and sustainable approach to growing, with many of the plants grown in season from seed for the garden.
It has also welcomed a number of different areas of the community into the garden to be involved in its development.
Pupils from Victoria Primary School’s gardening and eco-clubs, Local Girl Guides, and Penarth Growing Community were all involved.
They have taken on the responsibility for two raised planting beds, a vegetable trug and a border on site since they began.
West House Community Garden awarded for recognition of its high environmental standards and commitments. Picture: Penarth Town Council
Welsh Government minister for climate change, Julie James is delighted with the award for the local green space.
She said: “Our Green spaces have a vital role to play in connecting us to nature, these awards go to prove that Wales’ parks and similar areas are doing a wonderful job in providing quality green spaces to relax and enjoy.
“The standard required to achieve Green Flag status is very high so I want to congratulate all of the sites recognised for providing excellent, year-round facilities to local people and visitors alike.
“It’s fantastic to see we still hold more than a third of the UK’s Green Flag community sites in Wales – especially as the last two years have taught us all of the importance of nature and green spaces on our mental and physical wellbeing.”
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