A GARDENING project has received a £10,000 boost for skilled workers on the back of another award win.
Veg Out in Barnard Castle was given the five figure sum by the County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF) to help provide skilled staff for its “wildlife friendly area”.
Skilled sessional workers will be paid to teach gardening skills, crafts and garden art to add another string to the bow of the project at the Hub, in Barnard Castle.
The windfall comes amid recognition from Durham County Council which has given Veg Out a “Caring for your Environment award” for its five years of work with schoolchildren and other community groups.
Project leader Dr Ann Barmby was delighted with both the money and the award win.
She said: “It was very nice to receive and came out of the blue.
“When we get people down here they love it but it’s getting them to stay and help. We feel the idea of a wildlife area is more attractive than just a garden.”
Specialist Holly Brown will return to the project to help with willow weaving and garden art alongside stalwart volunteer Graham Moore who’ll oversee renovation work at the bottom of the site.
Veg Out will also welcome Nicky Tulloch to the wildlife project on Monday afternoons to help people living with dementia.
Dr Barmby added: “We recognised a lot of people living with dementia were very upset not to have contact with Nicky. We hope they will join us in the summer on Mondays.
“The idea will be to enhance later life and help people over 50 but I strongly believe in an inter-generational approach so it’ll be important to get children and younger people involved. The more, the merrier.”
The scheme has grown fruit, vegetables and herbs in Barnard Castle since 2013 and has had a long association with Liz Charles at the county council’s environment in your community group.
Its five years of work have culminated in an award from the County Durham Environment Partnership for its commitment to protecting and improving the environment.
“It was a real pleasure present this award to Veg Out in Barney,” said Ms Charles.
“Their work is evident at locations around the town, with raised beds offering a choice of edible plants for anyone to help themselves to.
“They have also involved lots of schoolchildren along the way and been an inspiration to many to grow some food and look after their local environment.
“When problems have arisen they have persisted, adapting their ideas and developing new ones.
“I hope more people get involved and join in the many rewards and benefits of active gardening.”
The award comes after the scheme’s outstanding rating it received from the Royal Horticultural Society last year.
The new grant-funded skilled worker role at Veg Out will pay £25 per hour and support workers will receive £9 per hour. Anyone interested in applying can email dr.ann.barmby@hotmail.co.uk or call her on 07861 323232 for more information.
Adults, families and children are invited to join in sessions taking place throughout the summer months.
Dr Barmby received the award on behalf of the Veg Out in Barnard Castle project, which develops spaces for volunteers to grow fruit,
vegetables and herbs that can be freely picked and used by members of the community.
