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Greener Greenham gardening group helps plant 8,500 bulbs on Stroud Green




Volunteers from Greener Greenham have helped plant 8,500 flower bulbs at Stroud Green, as they continue their bid to make the area they live in as nice as possible.

The community group has taken it upon themselves to look after the environment around their part of Newbury; from litter picking to planting flower bulbs and trees.

The group, set up in the March 2020 by Alison Blackborow, has only six members, but never fails to find willing volunteers who are more than happy to help the group achieve its goals.

Gaz Nicholson and Oli, aged 4, helping plant bulbs on Stroud Green. Ref: 40-0821.
Gaz Nicholson and Oli, aged 4, helping plant bulbs on Stroud Green. Ref: 40-0821.

The project at Stroud Green was accomplished by a team of volunteers who gathered to help on a rainy day.

"There were little children, families, Beavers, Cubs, one man who was out jogging even stopped to offer his help too," said Mrs Blackborow. "It was really nice. People just want to make a difference and look after where they live.

"We tried to get everyone involved and it was just so lovely and everyone was so enthusiastic. Hopefully it will look nice.

Daniel and Jamie Hurst, aged 10, on Stroud Green. Ref: 40-0821.
Daniel and Jamie Hurst, aged 10, on Stroud Green. Ref: 40-0821.

"There were quite a lot of wet and muddy people at the end. A big thank you to all of those people who helped."

West Berkshire Council helped provide the funds in order to buy the 8,500 bulbs, which included daffodils, whitebells and crocus, that were planted, as well as turf the ground so the group and its volunteers had an easier time planting.

A total of 51 volunteers helped plant the thousands of bulbs, taking just two and a half hours to get the task finished.

The group's next task is to plant a further 20 trees around the same area of Stroud Green - between New Road and Newbury Racecourse - at the end of November.

Jessica age 9, Jennifer age 8 and Jayatt age 3, all help plant bulbs. Ref: 40-0821.
Jessica age 9, Jennifer age 8 and Jayatt age 3, all help plant bulbs. Ref: 40-0821.

The district council has again helped with funding and the trees have all now been ordered from Penwood Nurseries.

The group has also been planning a new initiative called “The Streets where we live”.

Volunteers around the area have been asked to “adopt” or make room in their front garden for trees to be planted, as there isn't enough room to plant them along the roadside.

Geoff Layton. Ref: 40-0821
Geoff Layton. Ref: 40-0821

A total of 15 new trees - 12 to go in front gardens and three in open spaces around New Road and Westwood Road - are now on order and it is hoped they will also be planted by the end of November.

Mrs Blackborow added: "A big thank you to the other members of Greener Greenham - Helen, Katharine, Peter, Jane and Jon - who help with everything and to Caroline at the Countryside Management Team at West Berkshire Council. They have been so helpful and proactive."

For more information on the group, and their upcoming event visit https://app.thegoodexchange.com/applicants/6906/greener-greenham-group or contact the group directly on 07766 558849.

Marie Kenyon and Evie hard at work planting bulbs. Ref 40-0821
Marie Kenyon and Evie hard at work planting bulbs. Ref 40-0821
Phil and Vera Barnett lend a hand.
Phil and Vera Barnett lend a hand.
Tina Davison, Leonie Sheridan and Charlotte Chaplain. Ref: 40-0921.
Tina Davison, Leonie Sheridan and Charlotte Chaplain. Ref: 40-0921.
Stroud Green blub planting
Stroud Green blub planting


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