Charlea Community Gardens Community Interest Company continues to gather support for its ambitious plans to transform a three- acre site in Brimscombe into a community farm and gardens.
In July 2024 Charlea Gardens bought the field behind Queen’s Court flats which had been used as a play area and community open space for 50 years until sold to a private developer by Stroud District Council in 2018.
The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded £20,000 to support the project. This comes on top of a recent grant of £122,500 from the Community Ownership Fund. Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council has also provided substantial support.
With this backing the local community has been meeting at Ali’s Kitchen in Brimscombe in order to plan the details of the community open space. Following an ecological survey, the first stage will be to clear the site of invasive species and make safe those trees suffering from ash die-back.
Charles Bignell, Chair of Charlea Community Gardens said: “This project shows what can be done when a local community comes together with a passion and ambition to make a difference. Our plans to create a natural play area, community growing, and improve biodiversity have been supported by so many people showing the real value of collaboration. We shall soon be organising volunteer days which will provide the opportunity for some really positive community action.”
