Gardening brings joy to many people. Meet Jenny, someone who uses her skills in the garden to bring that same joy to others. Jenny, and her group of fellow community gardeners, Wonford Planters, has been bloomin’ marvellous in transforming a small area of overgrown public land into an incredible pocket park. You won’t believe the difference!
Before Jenny stepped in, the patch of land next to the Wonford Green GP Surgery was a jungle of matted hedges, trees and weeds. Some of the particularly problematic plants were Sumac trees and Lactua Virosa, which spread easily and are difficult to get rid of. But that didn’t stop Jenny and her team. They were on a mission, and at the heart of it was a deep care for their community.
Wonford, in Exeter, has been identified as an area of health and welfare concern. The Planters were very upset to learn from the locals that incidents on the land were making the area feel unsafe. Not what you want outside a GP surgery. The Wonford Planters knew that something could be done to brighten up the area and make it a better place for both visitors and those living there.
Teaming up with Exeter City Council and Devon County Highways, a plan was created and put forward to completely clear the area and start from scratch. Once it was agreed on, the area was dug up and cleared in September 2020. The residents were over the moon and the team got a lot of praise for what they achieved.
But they didn’t stop there!
Their plan was to create a wildlife and sensory area, with communal raised beds, bug hotels and hedgehog houses dotted throughout a colourful array of plants and fruit trees. They wanted a place where people could meet each other, as loneliness was a big problem in the area, especially during the pandemic. The Planters planned to work with another community group in Exeter, Wood for Good, to install wooden sculptures and benches. The local primary school was going to get involved in creating the bug hotels and planting up the raised beds with fruit and vegetables.
But they ran into a funding problem, and were unable to move forward. A quick web search led them to discovering our Neighbourhood Fund. When they applied, we jumped at the chance to help out.
But they ran into a funding problem, and were unable to move forward. A quick web search led them to discovering our Neighbourhood Fund. When they applied, we jumped at the chance to help out.
Since receiving the fund, Jenny and the team have blown us away with all their hard work and the difference it has made, not just to the area, but to the people too. They used the fund to purchase all the plants used in the area. One tree is particularly important. It’s dedicated to Mary Carpenter with a plaque reading “Exeter-born suffragist, abolitionist, social reformer and founder of free schools for the poor”. We love how Jenny decided to include Exeter’s history and celebrate its amazing people within this community space.
The plants have been flourishing, and a few of us from South West Water were only too happy to help out by getting hands-on with a bit of bark spreading. We were astounded at the change and how large and open the space feels now.
Well done to Jenny and her team!
For further information please contact:
To find out more about the Neighbourhood Fund, visit southwestwater.co.uk/community/support/neighbourhood-fund.