Going from strength to strength, the Greengage community project in Swanage, Dorset is opening its greenhouse doors for its Christmas fair with festive wreaths, handcrafted reindeer, plants and pots of bulbs.
The event takes place between 11 am and 2 pm on Friday 8th December 2023 at the Greengage Community Garden on Prospect Crescent near the Prospect allotments, with plenty of bargains available to take home in return for a donation.
Volunteers have been creating Christmas wreaths for the fair from foliage gathered from the garden
Chair of the Greengage Community Garden, Bob Walters in the impressive greenhouse where the town council staff used to cultivate the annual bedding displays for the town
Spend time enjoying the outdoors
Established in 2021, the garden is on the site of the old Swanage Town Council parks and garden depot and is being carefully developed into a place where all the community can spend time enjoying the outdoors, gardening, drinking tea and socialising.
Chair of the Greengage Community Garden, Bob Walters said:
“We’d love lots of people to come along to our Christmas fair to have a good look around the garden, find out more about what we do, and not least, enter the world’s only reindeer raffle!
“All donations for our Christmas wreaths, plants and bulbs go back into the Greengage Project.”
A friendly group of volunteers who enjoy pottering in the garden
Always time for a cup of tea, even while busy making a festive wreath!
Handmade reindeer available at the Christmas fair with ‘take me home’ eyes!
Newcomers welcome
Anyone who’s interested in getting involved is encouraged to just turn up at the garden. It’s usually open every Friday morning and at other times depending on the season and the weather.
There’s no requirement to be skilled at gardening, just a willingness to join in.
Even in winter the herb bed look good
Sometimes it’s a bit chilly in the greenhouse!
Plans for a garden room
Bob said:
“We’ve got some exciting plans for the future, including a wooden garden room where we can all meet, whatever the weather. The greenhouse is great but it can get a bit chilly at times!
“It will be a place where we can sit and socialise, make tea and coffee, and where we can welcome community groups like beavers, cubs and school children. There’s also real potential to hold gardening workshops to learn new skills.
“Since we first formed we’ve built up an amazing bunch of volunteers – all with great skills who are very welcoming to newcomers.
“The garden is very beneficial, not only in the way of exercise but also in fellowship, with the chance to just sit and chat. Many people downsize and lose their garden but here they can enjoy growing things again!”
The south facing site where the proposed wooden garden room will be located
Plenty of plants will be available at the fair in return for a donation
Further information
- More about the Greengage Community Garden is on its website and Facebook page
