Bedfords Park’s Walled Garden was a secret garden, hidden away from public view for over 240 years. The old red brick walls, looming out of the contrasting greenery intrigued the couple who found it.
Unknowingly there were other people trying to save it from complete dilapidation. After joining forces, and becoming the current steering group, Clear Village secured a BIG Lottery Local Food Grant and work started to clear the garden in 2013.
Today the walled garden is no longer a secret and is coming back to life through the people involved and the plants growing.
The focus has been to restore the garden into a community food growing hub, teaching people to grow and to improve health and well-being. This includes volunteering, work placements, gardening clubs, events, workshops and activities. Everyone is welcome in the garden. Our targeted beneficiaries are children, over 50’s, long-term unemployed people, young offenders and young people with learning difficulties with specific activities aimed at them.
The Grow>Cook>Eat programme focuses on children, particularly in Harold Hill. Learning early about healthy eating is important for children to be able to make the best choices in their future. Learning about healthy eating, how to grow and cook/prepare their meals, children learn where their food comes from and how it affects their bodies.
‘Growing Friends’ is the over 50’s club based in gardening but is also a social club. People can get together to learn new skills, exercise and increase their health and wellbeing.
We run training sessions for young adults with moderate learning difficulties, young offenders and provide workplaces for the long term unemployed. The aim is to give them valuable skills for working and grow their confidence and motivation.