A Penyrheol church’s garden has been given a makeover with help from two charities.
Bethel Baptist Church members finally have a community outdoor space in which to grow vegetables and hold events thanks to funding from Groundwork Caerphilly and the Baptist Missionary Society.
Groundwork Caerphilly has been working with volunteers from the church and Ystrad Mynach College, under the Healthy Villages scheme, to create a fruit and vegetable garden in Penyrheol.
The Healthy Village initiative is funded by European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and works across the rural areas of Caerphilly.
Funds received from the Baptist Missionary Society, as well as a generous donation from a church member, were used to transform an unused patch of car park into a community green space.
Sally Ball, a member at Bethel Baptist Church, said she hoped to see the garden used by everyone.
She said: “We hope that those who have gained confidence in the church garden will try out their skills at home, even if it’s just a few tomatoes in a growbag.
“Children have been actively involved and we hope their parents will develop green fingers too. We hope the community will get involved and invite anyone to come along on Tuesdays from 3.30pm to 4.45pm.”
The garden is intended for use by everyone whether to sit and relax, potter about or hold a party or barbecue.
Cwm Ifor primary school have already earmarked a space ready to grow things in the Spring and Summer and are working in partnership with the Church to get the space growing.