Mission to bring some green to concrete jungle
CONSERVATIONISTS HAVE launched a nationwide scheme to transform derelict urban spaces into havens for wildlife and horticulture and prevent Britain’s towns and cities from being increasingly turned into concrete jungles.
The Royal Horticultural Societies (RHS) have today unveiled details of the Greening Grey Britain scheme, which is turning unused or unloved sites into community gardening areas.
The programme, supported by the Chelsea Flower Show and a sponsor, M&G Investments, is now in its third year.
It aims to turn the tide of front gardens and communal areas becoming paved over and ensure green spaces remain in towns and cities.
Among the projects which have been launched is a bid to transform land at Mirfield Railway Station in West Yorkshire into a green oasis.
The schemes get advice from an RHS gardening expert, as well as £500 of plants and materials.
Andrea Van Sittart, the RHS’s head of community outreach, said: “Our towns and cities are rapidly becoming concrete jungles, covered in paving and with little space left for plants.
“We’re helping communities fight back and show that even small pockets of green space can make a big difference to people’s lives and the environment.”
The chief executive of M&G, Anne Richards, added: “Gardening is a wonderful, rewarding pastime for everyone, young and old – which is why we need to make sure every community has green space for people to be able to enjoy together.”
Three gardening schemes involving schoolchildren in Sheffield are part of this year’s project. Children from Ecclesfield School will work with Chapeltown in Bloom to tidy up a neglected area in front of a nearby library.
A rarely-used space at the city’s Shirecliffe Community Centre will be transformed into a relaxing haven. And pupils will overhaul parts of a community green space in the Southey area.
Elsewhere, schemes include the rejuvenation of a garden in a sheltered housing community in Stratford, East London, where teenage Metropolitan Police cadets will help residents grow fresh fruit and vegetables.
A sanctuary garden will be created for people with dementia in Dunbar, East Lothian, with secondary-school children at risk of permanent exclusion helped to develop their horticultural skills alongside a community gardening group.
Projects are now underway and are due to be completed by the early autumn, according to the RHS.