As co-ordinator of the above garden, together with the Parish Council and Agenda 21 committee, I have been asked many questions about the project so here are the answers to some of them.
Some twelve months ago Margaret Coles suggested a meeting of all organisations in the village to complete a list of ideas for Millennium celebrations and a questionnaire was circulated requesting any other ideas in the long or short term. They were:- bunting, a get-together on the night, fireworks, a disco, a Church service. Long term projects included flower beds at the entrances to the village, a Church flagpole and a garden for all. These innovations are possible because groups of individuals have elected to see them through. (We still need two flower bed enthusiasts.)
It is a former large garden area adjacent to 30 Tuckers Park, the sheltered housing units at the far end of the green on the left, immediately opposite the large gate at the southern end of the playing field.
Torridge District Council own it - they have leased it through the Parish Council to the Millennium Garden Committee.
Anyone who is conversant with garden planning may submit one. If you intend to do so, the criteria are that it should be easily maintained, sensory, contain a water feature and any appropriate local elements eg bird sculptures. Plans on A4 paper no later than the end of January.
Although not a playground, accompanied toddlers may come to watch and learn about wildlife, look at the wild flower areas, smell the shrubs we hope to plant. Mums and Dads, Grans and Grandads may join a willow workshop in the Spring and learn how to create willow arches, an arbour and hedging and apply their skills in our new garden and afterwards in their own gardens. Brownies are maintaining the established flowerbeds and Young Farmers will help to tidy the area and help plant beds. The disabled and elderly may help as and where they see fit and volunteers will be needed for many garden tasks.
The Parish Council thoroughly support this venture and together with the Agenda 21 committee have offered funding and help in completing application forms for small project Millennium and other funding resources.
We certainly do! These ideas cannot grow and develop without your group offering to help. (More details in next months mag.) Don't let this be a Yeo, Yeo and Yeo garden. I need you, You, Yes and You!