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Published Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 13:30
Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) Myplace is working with Blackburn with Darwen Council and Sport England to bring back to life four large greenhouses currently empty and unused in Witton Park.
The project, due to begin in April, will see the Witton greenhouses renovated as a growing, learning and community hub, helping people to get active in the great outdoors.
BwD’s Executive Member for Growth and Development Cllr Phil Riley said: “I’m delighted to support this project, and the Myplace team, bringing a great local community asset back to life. I’m looking forward to seeing the fruits of their labour, or at least some tomatoes.”
LWT Myplace project leader Andrew Mather said: “It’s wonderful that BwD Council and Sport England are helping us to realise these wellbeing activities. Our activities will improve resident’s physical health and address community segregation, reduce social exclusion, and value and embrace our diversity, enriching all of our lives by developing meaningful relationships.”
BwD’s Director of Public Health Dominic Harrison said: “It’s great to see a project encouraging people to get active outdoors in our wonderful green spaces. Being physically active and close to nature has positive effects on both our physical and mental health.”
Residents can get involved in a variety of ways. The project is raising funds via a Crowdfunder campaign to help prepare the greenhouses for use, with asbestos removal the first essential task to be undertaken. If you’re a local business who can assist with this first step contact Andy via email (amather@lancswt.org.uk). Residents will also be able to take part in regular wildlife walks, volunteering in the greenhouses, and Leaning Hub activities.
So far people have been very generous and have raised over £2000. This is great news to get the greenhouse refurbishment started. The Myplace team are also open to receiving any unwanted outdoor gear such as boots, wellies, waterproofs, fruit and veg plants (particularly outdoor perenials) and even old sofas, to create a seating area inside.
BwD Food Resiliance Alliance (FRA) project leader, Cllr Jackie Floyd said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Council to make better use of our green spaces, not only for food resilience projects and offering space for green startups as part of post Covid economic recovery, but for the proven wellbeing benefits of being outdoors and connecting with nature. This project will inspire a love of plants and nature in residents to support and improve their physical and mental wellbeing, help them connect with others and have fun.”
The work the FRA is doing is more important than ever as the Covid-19 pandemic means that more people than ever in the borough are struggling to make ends meet and provide enough food for their families and themselves. Founded on the basis of ‘food justice’, the aim is to tackle hunger and ensure everyone is able to make healthy food choices.
More about FRA Food Resilience Alliance cooks up big plans to bring together the community | The Shuttle: Blackburn with Darwen Council News
The greenhouses were originally built to provide food for the nearby Fielding family home and their community of service staff. More recently the Council used the greenhouses for growing plants for use in green spaces across the borough, until about 10 years ago when the buildings became redundant. Thanks to this project to restore the greenhouses to their former glory, they’ll be providing crops and wellbeing to residents for generations to come.
Help raise funds for the Witton greenhouse project.