03 Nov 2023
In a remote corner of Greenwood Park, something amazing has been created.
From a simple stretch of grassland, a group of determined volunteers have shaped a true community asset, one which will bring joy and forge friendships for generations, all while supplying locals with organic fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Grow Chiswell Green’s community garden can be found just off the Watford Road, near the butterfly chalk bank and allotments, and has slowly taken shape over the summer since its creation in February.
In the months since then, a group of between 20-25 community gardeners worked hard on establishing a range of raised beds for flowers and vegetables, creating compost bays, setting out a community seating area and building a shed.
They also planted an apple tree and spring bulbs, and built a bug house for minibeasts.
The land is leased from SADC, and the project is overseen by a company limited by guarantee, which ensures its longevity.
“It’s like running a business,” said founder Christy Mitchell. “It’s not just about gardening, it’s about bringing people together.
“We have people with expertise in different areas, like trees, vegetables, bulbs, but everybody has a say on what we plant and can take away the produce grown. We meet up and decide what needs doing.
“Asylum seekers from the nearby Noke Hotel built the beds and planted the tree – they found working here really helped them to integrate more with the local community.”
The first person Christy brought on board to help her was retired SA Law corporate lawyer and former Chamber of Commerce president Peter Goodman.
Peter explained: “Having just left the board of the Chamber of Commerce I was looking for a community project in which I could be involved.
“At exactly the right time I saw Christy’s request in Facebook for founder members of a future community garden in Chiswell Green and this was exactly what I was looking for.
“I contacted her and we had the first Grow Chiswell Green meeting in the Three Hammers. I formed the limited company and we were joined by two other directors. Two other key advisers joined us straight after and away we went on this brilliant project.
“I’m not a great gardener. It’s the community aspect that attracted me and it’s been great to be able to help create the garden and remain involved as it has grown and grown.”
St Albans-based estate agents Collinson Hall provided vital seed funding in order to get things started, and managing director Steve Walker visited the community garden for the first time last week to see how their donation had both literally and figuratively borne fruit.
He said: “Collinson Hall has enjoyed a relationship with the Chiswell Green community for 30-plus years.
“Having seen successful community gardens in other areas, we were keen to support this one, and help it get established.
“To see how much progress has been made already and feel the enthusiasm from Christy and Peter was incredibly rewarding. With our continued support we look forward to seeing their ideas and ambitions come to fruition in the coming years, helping cement the garden as an integral part of the Chiswell Green community. “
Future plans will see the site becoming more accessible, with the introduction of pathways and higher planters thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund, and they are also keen to get more community groups involved.
Grow Chiswell Green is free to join, and open to anyone no matter their age or location. As well as maintaining the garden, they organise activities including plant and seed sales and wildlife activities for children. For more information visit www.growchiswellgreen.org
