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The volunteers behind the thriving Climate Change Garden at Caerphilly Miners Centre are inviting the public to explore their work as part of the National Garden Scheme Open Day.

On Sunday June 21, visitors can tour the community garden, enjoy tea, coffee and cake, buy plants, and learn how the project has transformed what was once a neglected car park into a vibrant wildlife-friendly space.

The garden was established five years ago after concerns were raised about the appearance of the area in front of the Miners Centre – based at the former Caerphilly Miners Hospital.

Volunteer gardener Chris O’Meara explained: “There was funding available for climate change projects. I had just retired and [Katherine Hughes, former Miners chair] asked me to meet with the National Lottery people to see if we could secure some funding.”

The group was successful in obtaining a grant of around £15,000, which allowed them to bring in a landscape gardener and a climate change consultant to help residents shape the vision for the garden.

“We worked with local people over a series of Saturdays and came up with priorities around plant diversity, climate change, creating habitats and encouraging wildlife,” said Chris.

Those priorities led to the creation of a wildlife pond, extensive planting areas, and a focus on selecting species capable of withstanding the challenges posed by climate change.

“We need to think carefully about what we plant so it can survive what climate change will bring. Sometimes we have drought like last summer, sometimes we have flooding, but what we plant should be able to cope with all of that without much attention.”

Today, the garden is maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers who meet every Wednesday morning come rain or shine.

“We have around 15 volunteers on our list, with ten to 12 regularly attending. We meet every Wednesday from about 9am until people’s stomachs drive them home, usually between midday and 1pm,” Chris joked.

Many volunteers also grow plants at home in their own greenhouses before bringing them to the centre.

“A few of us do a lot of growing at home. The volunteers help with potting on, pricking out and tending the plants so that we can sell them. The sales help fund the maintenance of the garden without any outside input.”

The open day forms part of the National Garden Scheme, a charity that raises money for a range of health and community organisations across the UK.

Chris explained: “Last year the National Garden Scheme raised £3.5 million for charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, the Alzheimer’s Society, Hospice UK and the Queen’s Nursing Institute.”

“The scheme encourages people to open either their own private gardens or, in our case, a community garden. The £5 admission fee goes directly to the charity.”

Plants grown by the volunteer team will be available to buy, while refreshments will be served throughout the day.

“We’ll have plants for sale, tea and cake available, and if the weather is kind there will be tables and chairs outside with bunting up. It should be a really good atmosphere,” said Chris. “The money goes to a very good cause, and we’re looking forward to welcoming people to see what we’ve achieved.”

The Open Garden event will take place at Caerphilly Miners Centre on Sunday June 21, from 11am until 4pm.

Admission is £5 for adults, while children can attend free of charge. All admission fees will be donated directly to the National Garden Scheme’s supported charities.

A small proportion of plant sales will also be donated to the charity, while the remaining proceeds will be retained by the volunteer gardening group to help fund the ongoing maintenance and development of the garden.

Meanwhile, Hillcrest Garden in Cefn Fforest is also taking part in the scheme and will be open to the public on Sunday July 5 and Sunday August 2.

Other gardens include 14 Gwerthoner Lane in Gilfach, which is open on Saturday July 18 and Sunday July 19, as well as Ty Isaf Farm, Pandy Mawr Lane, Bedwas, on August 8 and August 9.