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To celebrate national volunteers’ week, members of Van Ward Allotments and Van Community Centre got together to thank those involved in their recent projects.

At the event on Friday June 6, chair of the allotments in Castle Park, Tracey Davies, had the opportunity to say a “special thanks” to some of their volunteers.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer at the event, Tracey said: “It’s been really active here at the allotments lately with all the good weather, and our community space inside has been really busy.

“We thought this would be a great way to get everyone together, as in my eyes, it’s the volunteers who make it all happen. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to function at the level we do.”

As part of the celebrations, some quirky cakes were freely available, all made to include veg grown at the allotments and served within ‘The Hive’ – the allotments’ shared indoor community space.

Danielle Jones, who made the desserts, said it’s a great way of getting fussy children to eat their veg, as well as it being a different way to use up seasonal veg.

The local community centre has also been using up veg as part of their free meal scheme, which uses food grown at the allotments.

As well as welcoming those to the allotments and community centre, the group’s members also go on regular walking trips hosted by the council.

Tracey said: “We arrange two trips a week, usually to somewhere fairly local. One session will be for those with less mobility, and the other for those who can get around a bit more easily.

“They’ve proved really successful and we always have a full bus. Unfortunately however, the council is ending the funding for the trips come September so we’ll be looking for money elsewhere.”