A new community initiative has been launched to brighten up Cainscross and encourage residents to take greater pride in their local area.
Cainscross and Ebley, along with Cashes Green East and West, form the four wards of Cainscross Town Council.
Although the area has a significant population, it can sometimes feel overlooked, being sandwiched between Stroud and Stonehouse.
Cainscross Town Council has now launched its Pride in Our Parish project, with the aim of encouraging people to take pride in their own patch.
As part of the project, Cainscross in Bloom has been established, with volunteers already getting to work.
The group said: “We are still at early planning stages but have started work this weekend tidying up the area around the main roundabout and we will be adding some new planters there.
“Eventually, we hope to work on other projects around the four wards.”
The project will build on the work already taking place across the area to support biodiversity, wildlife and community spaces.
“We already have many great things going on with our open spaces, in terms of biodiversity and wildlife conservation,” the group said.
“We have plenty of community engagement with other groups such as Stroud Valleys Trust, Down to Earth and the Canal Trust, Cainscross Community Choir, Cainscross WI and Scarlet House who all share our spaces and work hard to create pleasant environments for people and wildlife.”
The group is now planning to enter the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category in the Britain in Bloom competition next year as it begins its journey.
The team has also received support and inspiration from neighbouring Stonehouse in Bloom.
“The Stonehouse in Bloom team have been a huge help and source of inspiration and knowledge and we hope that we will continue to work together to build the ideas,” the group said.
An enthusiastic team of volunteers is already involved, with a range of skills being brought to the project.
But organisers say there is plenty of room for more people to get involved – and not just for planting.
“We already have an enthusiastic team of volunteers who have all sorts of skills to add, and we are all excited to get started, but there is always room for more volunteers, not just for planting, but fund raising, admin, management of volunteers and making cakes!”
The group is also looking for financial support, particularly from local businesses which could sponsor a planter and advertise alongside the project.
“If you are interested in helping or if you would like to donate towards a project or a planter please contact us.
“We are particularly looking for local businesses to support us and advertise on a planter.”
