Information on Loughborough
News Index
2012
Feb 2012Jan 2012
2011
Dec 2011Nov 2011
Oct 2011
Sep 2011
Aug 2011
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
May 2011
Apr 2011
Mar 2011
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
2010
Dec 2010Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
Aug 2010
Jul 2010
Jun 2010
May 2010
Apr 2010
Mar 2010
Feb 2010
Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
Loughborough PCSO gets financial support for new communal garden
Posted on 09/09/2009
Loughborough PCSO gets financial support for new communal garden
L to R: Ann Watkinson, PCSO Sue Exton, PC Glen Reid and local residents including Alison Barlow from Loughborough University (at the back)
Loughborough University has donated £500 to help residents in Shelthorpe set up the first of four communal gardens designed to get the community working together to make the estate a greener place to live.
The Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for the estate, Sue Exton, recognised the benefits of having a communal garden in helping to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour by bringing all age groups on the estate together to take part in positive activities. The plans will transform a derelict plot of land at the back of the houses on Beaumont Road and Howe Road. Work has already begun on the site as it has already been fenced off.
The project is being driven by the Shelthorpe Community Association which has secured a total of £4000 for the project from various organisations. Chairwoman, Ann Watkinson, said; “We have got some really great plans for the plot, which is about the size of half a football pitch. We want to put a poly tunnel on it and grow vegetables which local people can buy and cook. A number of local residents have been on a ‘gardening for health’ course and they’ll be passing on their knowledge to others particularly young people about how to grow their own food. We hope to grow enough to be able to sell it but we also want to give some away to the elderly and vulnerable who live on the estate.
“We have had a lot of interest already from local residents and I think it is going to be a great way of bringing all the different people living on the estate together. There are three other potential plots on the estate which we would also like to transform so this could be the beginning of a really exciting project to make the estate an even better place to live than it is now.”
Between January and July 2009 reports of anti-social behaviour have reduced by 32% compared to the same period last year.
PCSO Sue Exton said; “I can really see the benefits that a communal garden will bring to life on the estate for all generations. I was pleased to be able to help local residents by putting a funding bid together and everyone was thrilled when the University approved our bid and I know that the money will be used towards buying tools, fencing and a shed. I shall be popping along with the beat officer, Glen Reid, on a regular basis to meet all the volunteers and see their progress. We’d like to see as many people down there as possible and would urge local residents no matter how old or young to come along and get involved.”
Alison Barlow, Community Relations Officer for Loughborough University said; “We were delighted to be able to support this exciting project for the residents of Shelthorpe from our Community Donations Fund. It is great to see our money being used so positively bringing a diverse range of residents together for such a worthwhile activity.”
The Shelthorpe Community Association (SCA) meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at the Charnwood Social Club off Woodthorpe Road Shelthorpe at 7.30pm. The police and local councillors are always there and everyone is welcome to attend.