A community interest company is hoping to transform a one-acre field in Brimscombe.
Charlea Community Gardens is a Community Interest Company (CIC) established in 2016, run entirely by dedicated volunteers from the local community. The vision is to transform a one-acre field behind Queens Court flats in Brimscombe into a thriving Community Farm and Gardens.
With support from Brimsombe and Thrupp Parish Councl, Gloucestershire County Council and the Community Ownership Fund already secured, Charlea Community Gardens now needs to raise £12,000 to make this vision a reality.
This initiative will expand upon the existing Charlea Community Garden site, creating a hub for community engagement, education, and sustainable living.
The field holds a special place in the hearts of many locals, as it was once home to a beloved play area from the 1950s until 2018. When the land was lost to private development, it left a void in our community. After numerous failed planning applications, the site was put back on the market, and the group seized the opportunity to reacquire this precious space for community use.
The project addresses the pressing need for accessible green spaces in Brimscombe and Thrupp.
Currently, there are no other community play areas or public parks in the vicinity. The plans include a natural play area where children can explore and learn through play, community growing spaces for cultivating fruits and vegetables, and designated zones for biodiversity and wildlife conservation, a space for livestock, which will provide educational opportunities about animal care and sustainable farming practices expanding upon the foundations of the current Pig & Chicken clubs that are a part of Charlea Community Gardens.
These funds will be used to set up essential infrastructure, purchase tools and materials, and kickstart the development of the community space. Specific projects include:
– Installing a natural play area with safe, sustainable materials.
– Creating raised garden beds for community use.
– Planting fruit trees and establishing a small orchard.
– Building enclosures for livestock.
– Enhancing biodiversity with native plants and wildlife habitats.
To help support this initiative please click and donate HERE
