Ruspidge Memorial Hall Community Garden
Growing biodiversity and community connections too
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Background
Ruspidge Memorial Hall is used widely by the community. It is home to a monthly repair cafe and weekly toddler group, plus is hired by groups and used for many events.
The space outside of the hall wasn't being put to as good use, however. The charitable trust that runs the hall not only wanted to make it more attractive and usable for the community, but also a space for nature and wildlife. In addition, they wanted to add facilities that would allow them to compost garden waste and some of the food waste created by users of the hall.
Project
The Ruspidge Memorial Hall Charitable Trust obtained a community grant from Forest of Dean District Council to start off their work on a community garden. Further funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund then enabled further projects, such as an insect hotel bench for the garden.
Results
Ruspidge Memorial Hall’s outdoor spaces have been brought to life through the development of the community and wildlife garden.
The garden has seen a range of biodiversity-focused adaptations across different areas around the hall, for example a bog garden and bee panel designed for mason bees to nest. An insect hotel bench has been created using gabion baskets filled with stones and broken pots with a seat on top. Other additions to the garden, such as raised beds for growing vegetables and other plants, have transformed it into an attractive space for people to spend time in.
The changes have inspired more involvement from local user groups, including the Ruspidge Community Hub, Brownies, and members of the wider community.
The team has already been composting grass cuttings and is now expanding its composting efforts to include plant and leaf waste from the Kitchen Garden, along with organic waste from other user groups.
As part of Gloucestershire County Council’s Biodiversity Week, which focused on soil health, the group hosted a themed summer evening gardening hub session entitled 'Composting in the Community' with a session sharing composting tips and ideas with visitors, as well as one giving an overview of recent adaptations in the garden designed to boost biodiversity.
A new wormery was also set up, having been donated by Forest of Dean District Council.
The garden is not only a space for growing plants, but also for growing connections. Weekly summer evening gardening hubs continue to bring people together, and plans are in place to encourage more art and social events throughout the year to make the garden accessible and welcoming to all.