Plans for growth at Swanage community garden

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.

Advertisement 
Greengage Project Christmas fair preparations

Volunteers have been creating Christmas wreaths for the fair from foliage gathered from the garden

Greengage Project Christmas fair preparations

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.”

Greengage Project Christmas fair preparations

A friendly group of volunteers who enjoy pottering in the garden

Greengage Project Christmas fair preparations

Always time for a cup of tea, even while busy making a festive wreath!

Greengage Project Christmas fair preparations

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.

Greengage Project Christmas fair preparations

Even in winter the herb bed look good

Greengage Project Christmas fair preparations

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!”

Greengage Project Christmas fair preparations

The south facing site where the proposed wooden garden room will be located

Greengage Project Christmas fair preparations

Plenty of plants will be available at the fair in return for a donation

Further information

Share this story

Contact us

Do you have anything to add to this story?

We like to keep everything up-to-date, so if you know more, please help us by getting in touch.

Advertisement 

Top stories

Spotlight on Swanage care home as gross negligence investigated Following the death of three Swanage care home residents from possible carbon monoxide poisoning, Dorset Police say they are investigating whether there were any actions or omissions which were grossly ... 3 weeks ago Police confirm three dead at Swanage care home 3 weeks ago Local woman arrested in connection with Swanage care home deaths 3 weeks ago Corfe Castle protest as social housing is put up for sale 1 month ago Swanage webcam with perfect bay view is back online 1 month ago

Most recent

Forget-me-not to shop, urges Purbeck charity In a bid to raise £120,000 for a second local dementia specialist nurse, a Purbeck charity has opened a pop up shop in Swanage, Dorset, to boost its fundraising efforts 3 hours ago Two minute silence observed in Swanage on Armistice Day 1 day ago Reflective Sunday as Swanage remembers the fallen 2 days ago Sweet dreams are made of this at Swanage’s Studio 3 days ago What’s on at Christmas in Swanage 2024 4 days ago