Major work has begun at an area of wasteland in Wiltshire that is set to be transformed into a beautiful community garden.
Vale View Garden in Royal Wootton Bassett has been 'adopted' by the local town council who are determined to put the empty and overgrown space to better use - and the whole community is on board.
With work well underway, local residents, RWB Environment Trust volunteers and the Town Council Grounds team have all been spotted working on the space as the ground has been dug up and a pathway laid.
Once complete, the gardens will feature newly planted trees, bushes and raised flower beds to help school children learn about gardening.
An official timeline released by Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council has now revealed that the gardens are set to open for the first time on Friday, May 3, assuming that all things go to plan.
“On February 27, 2024, various groups including the residents, Wootton Bassett Infants School, Horizons College and RWB Environment Trust met with the Town Council to discuss the project," said a spokesperson for the town council.
"Together a plan for Vale View Gardens was created and a time frame agreed.
"24 days later, work by Andy Carr, our volunteer project manager, residents, RWB Environment Trust volunteers and Town Council Grounds Team has resulted in a substantial development of Vale View Gardens, which is currently on track to open on Friday, May 3, 2024."
The empty plot of land is owned by Wiltshire Council (although now leased to Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council) and was previously used as allotments, but had been abandoned for several years.
The idea to turn it into a community garden first began in 2023 after locals pointed out the that neglected area could be put to better use.
“It's great to be part of a real community coalition who have developed a shared vision of creating something visually appealing, environmentally sound, educational, and very enjoyable for the long term,” said Andy Carr, project manager.
“It’s been great to work with so many enthusiastic residents and the Town Council to achieve this”.
Royal Wootton Bassett Mayor, Eve Silvester, added: “This area will be of tremendous value to our community and demonstrates how working together can make a real difference. This will be a lasting legacy for our town."
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