Council aims to grow garden share scheme across borough

Aspiring Monty Dons who don't have their own gardens or are looking to expand into fruit and vegetables and don't have the space are being given the chance join an innovative garden-share scheme backed by the Royal Borough.

Garden Share matches residents who don't have a garden (or who want more space) with those who have space to spare and who are willing to allow it to be cultivated by a 'guest gardener'.

Started locally by Maidenhead Transition Town group, the scheme is being supported by the council and the aim is to extend it throughout the borough in time for the growing season in 2012.

The search is now on for partners willing to follow the lead set by Maidenhead Transition Town and run the scheme in the Windsor and Ascot areas to encourage more people into 'growing their own'.

Cllr Simon Dudley, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, said: "The essence of Big Society is breaking down barriers to allow people to achieve.

"Garden Share aims to overcome a major hurdle for would-be gardeners who don't have a garden or who want more space - finding unused parts of other people's gardens for them to tend and cultivate. While the council is also working to expand the number of allotments in the borough, Garden Share is ideal for people who aspire to having an allotment but who don't want to join the waiting list.

Cllr Dudley paid tribute to Maidenhead Transition Town for pioneering the scheme locally and added: "There are thousands of gardens in the borough which are under-used and could be ripe for sharing. With the Transition Town scheme already up and running in Maidenhead, we are keen to hear from other potential partner organisations that would be willing to work with the council to spread the opportunity borough-wide.

Each scheme could be eligible for council grants to help them get started and officers will assist new volunteers to apply for grants and set up the system.

Kath Pinto, of Transition Town, said: "Anyone wanting to view the gardens available for sharing can see them on our website. We are hoping to obtain funding which will enable us to offer help with initial rotavating of those gardens which are at present given over to lawn. Advice for novice gardeners is also one of the services we offer."

Garden Share was given the backing of the Royal Borough's cabinet on Thursday (28 July). Organisations interested in partnering with the council to run garden share schemes in the Windsor and Ascot area are invited to contact Kath Harlow on 01628 796252.

A list of available Maidenhead plots can be found at www.maidenheadgardenshare.co.uk and further information about Maidenhead Garden Share is available on 01628 416538.

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