Angie Sutton and volunteers at the Community Garden in Presteigne were recently presented with a plaque in recognition of the work completed with the help of the National Garden Scheme Community Garden Grant.

Founded in 2022 by a small group of volunteers, Presteigne Community Garden is located in the former kitchen gardens at The Sidney Nolan Trust.

Over the past three years, the volunteers have enjoyed community growing, gradually cultivating the area with the aim of improving resilience in food production, encouraging healthy eating, remaining economically viable and making locally grown food accessible to all.

The Community Garden Grant from the National Garden Scheme has enabled further development of the site by providing a shed for storage, scaffolding planks and soil for raised beds, as well as materials to build protective cages for winter crops.

Dr Alison Kemp, County Organiser for South Powys, visited the site to present the award and found many of the raised beds still productive, even in November. The extensive garden is surrounded by beech hedging to provide a microclimate. There is also a seating area with benches and chairs restored using recycled timber, creating a welcoming space for social engagement.

The volunteer team are extraordinarily resourceful, drawing on contributions and donations of seeds and plants, and have recently restored a polytunnel which produced tomatoes and cucumbers over the summer. The volunteers clearly benefit from the opportunity to grow and distribute food to the local community.

Engagement with the local population is impressive. The Community Garden has worked with local cub groups, hosted community open days, and organised events including a summer picnic for the local WI group. Produce is donated to the Presteigne and Knighton Foodbank and to the Circle Lunch Group, which meets in Presteigne. The garden also works closely with the local Presteigne Plenty group, which takes surplus produce from the area and turns it into items that can be sold to help raise funds for community projects.

Since the Community Garden Grants began, £1,202,360 has been donated to more than 500 community projects. For more information, visit: ngs.org.uk/who-we-are/community-garden-grants