THE Lisieux Way Community Garden, which is located just behind the Lisieux Way Methodist Church in Taunton, was originally created by clients of Arc, a local charitable organisation supporting and accommodating homeless individuals.

They had been approached by the Lisieux Way Methodist Church, who had a large garden that had become very overgrown, to take on and make something really special from the space.

It was decided that the space should be transformed into a vibrant garden accessible to everyone in the local community.

Arc were successful in getting funding from The Heritage Lottery and Tesco Bags of Help to fund the work and, with the help of Marion Dale from Summerdale Garden Designs, a plan for space was drawn up.

Many hours of hard work from the volunteers and contractors went in to shaping the space and the garden was opened in July 2018.

Features of the space include raised planters for vegetable and flower growing, a wildlife pond, a wildflower area with fruit trees and even its own eco-loo!

Somerset Wildlife Trust have now taken on the running of volunteering opportunities at the garden and with the help of some funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, we have continued to add to the space with a new shed, seating and sign.

We currently have a hold on recruiting new volunteers to the project due to the current situation with Coronavirus but if you would like to learn more about the garden email olivia.dullaghan@somersetwildlife.org.

OLIVIA DULLAGHAN
Somerset Wildlife Trust