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Caerphilly Miners’ Centre for the Community has been awarded £5,000 for its project encouraging people to grow their own vegetables.

The funding has been used to buy a greenhouse for the centre’s Climate Change Garden, which will allow vegetables and plants to grow all year round.

It is hoped the project will encourage a more sustainable way of sourcing food, as well as allowing the centre’s gardening group to grow a variety of different crops throughout the year.

The Climate Change Garden, which is at the front of the centre, was created to promote issues such as carbon reduction, biodiversity and health and wellbeing.

The centre, which opened its doors on the site of the former Caerphilly Miners’ Hospital in 2015, received the money from the Aviva Broker Community Fund, having been nominated by the Caerphilly-based insurance brokers Thomas Carroll Group.

Katherine Hughes, who is the centre’s secretary, thanked Thomas Carroll for their support and said: “We would never have had access to a fund like this if we were not supported by them.

“We’ve already made great progress with the garden, introducing composting, water harvesting, a pond, a sensory garden and seating areas.

“The greenhouse will open up so many more opportunities for year-round teaching and gardening activities, and produce like herbs and vegetables, which we will offer in our new community kitchen and café when it opens.”

Sarah Edwards, Finance Director at Thomas Carroll, said: “Caerphilly Miners’ Centre is a cause close to our hearts. Not only do we insure them, but we’ve been fundraising for them and providing them with advice since 2014.

“The centre is such an important part of our community, tackling social isolation and health and wellbeing issues, and providing a vital education resource for local children and adults.

“Their climate change garden project is already having a big impact and, with the new greenhouse now within reach, we know that they can continue inspiring and motivating the community whatever the season or weather.”