Lottery windfall for south Shropshire community garden group

A group hoping to develop a community garden in south Shropshire has just been awarded more than £9,000 for the project from the National Lottery.

Flourish & Nourish (F&N), a small group set up in Cleobury Mortimer, is developing a community garden in the town and maintaining the town’s floral planters.

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The group successfully won £9,300 from The National Lottery Community Fund; the money will help further develop the infrastructure of the garden. It will also be used to develop a ‘Memories Garden’ intended to be a peaceful and beautiful garden. In addition, the group will use funding to run workshops and give talks about gardening, wildlife, and sustainability.

The group formed in 2024 and took over the planting and care of 18 planters in High Street, they were then given the opportunity to develop a community garden in the town which is for the whole of the community to enjoy. Sessions are currently twice a week on Friday and Sunday mornings, with more planned for the growing season.

F&N has welcomed various groups such as Beavers, Cubs, a local primary school and individual volunteers to the garden. Help in establishing the plot has come from groups such as The Young Farmers, the CM Ruby Club, local firefighters together with local farmers and contractors who have given their time free of charge to the project.

Sandra Dodd, trustee, said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised the work and effort already put into our project. Thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to develop the site further, welcome more groups and people to our garden and provide a wonderful place for the whole town.”