Friends rebuild wall and welcome new growing group to Library Gardens

July 30, 2020

The Friends of Leigh Library Gardens are not a group to let the grass grow under their feet and their most recent work parties have seen the retaining stonewall at the entrance to the Gardens by the bus stop on Broadway West repaired, cleared of weeds and the beds behind it planted with seasonal and perennial plants. The trees have been cut back to make the pathway clearer, the bushes have been thinned out to promote healthy growth, the bench has been scrubbed clean and the whole area looks much more pleasant as the entrance to the Gardens.

Another significant development in the Gardens is the arrival of veggie boxes along the hedge by the restored gardeners’ hut. The Friends group have joined forces with the volunteer sustainable growing group Incredible Edible to show the public how easy it is to grow fruit and vegetables. Set up in Leigh by Stephanie Golder, Incredible Edible is a nationwide network of community growing spaces that aim to grow organic food and educate people about the ways to grow your own food. There are now more than 100 groups across the country.

Russell Hallmark, Chair of the Friends of Leigh Library Gardens said ‘We are delighted to welcome Stephanie and her new Incredible Edible group to the Library Gardens. It is another way to diversify the opportunities and amenities on offer in the Gardens and a great way to encourage more people to use this important community space - with future workshops being planned by Stephanie and the group.’

The Friends’ future plans include further action on the Leigh Library Gardens Public Consultation held last year. At the consultation, significant feedback indicated that providing a permanent path to replace the current ‘desire line’ or mud path in the Upper Gardens was a priority. To make this happen, the Friends need the support of the local community and will be seeking to raise funds to install a ‘peoples path’ and creating much needed improved access and mobility through the Gardens.

Anyone wishing to join the Friends of Leigh Library Gardens or donate now towards the cost of the new path, should make contact by emailing follg2018@gmail.com. As well as work in the Gardens, there are other roles and tasks to do such as fundraising and publicity: everyone is welcome and no special skills are required.

Follow the Friends of Leigh Library Gardens on Facebook @friendsofleighlibrarygdns to keep updated with developments. To find out more about Incredible Edible, search @incredibleediblelos on Instagram and Facebook.