Mirfield Community Gardens

Blackley, Manchester

Background

In August 2006, the residents of Mirfield Road, Blackley, formed a Community Gardening Club.

In 2008, tired of seeing a neighbouring disused garage site fall into disrepair, becoming a beacon for fly-tipping (including burnt-out cars!), they had a vision. They would transform this unadopted, forgotten piece of land into a space the community could enjoy. A clean-up date was arranged, followed by a community Bonfire Night to clear the site.

Funding from The National Lottery secured £50,000, which allowed the team of eight to begin the transformation, thoroughly redesigning the space, a space they would use for planting, events and socialising. The rest is history.

Still a thriving (and multi-award winning) community garden, enjoyed by all, the team there noticed we were busy on site and wished to make the most of our waste materials. How could we resist?

The Result

It’s amazing what can be created from waste.

Frequent visitors to site, this creative team enhanced their (already incredible) garden space with the addition of some planters, benches and other, rather impressive structures, all of which highlighted the true importance of recycling. An inspirational team, and great neighbours for the duration of our time on site.

Our team particularly enjoyed the regular donations of fresh produce, grown in the gardens!