A COMMUNITY garden has sprung up in place of a derelict piece of Shaw Heath land, and enjoyed its official opening party on Saturday.

The Secret Garden of Springfields project, in Springfields off Shaw Drive, has seen a forgotten patch of land converted into an activity-filled community space thanks to the efforts of three Knutsford mums and a number of generous partners.

More than 100 people gathered at the site on Saturday, March 11, to see Cllr Jonathan Farber cut the ribbon and unveil the end product of months of hard work by Samantha Pownall, Sarah Pownall, Sarah Blaylock and the wider community.

Knutsford Guardian:

The garden back in November. Photo courtesy of WA16PR.

Samantha said: “I’m a Great Places housing association tenant with three young children and I wanted somewhere for the kids to grown food and vegetables and learn things.

“Across the road form where I am there was an empty bit of land that hadn’t been touched for years. I asked a few neighbours about it, and the idea was to go to Great Places and see if we could use the land.

“It’s an open community garden so anyone can go in and grow things – there is a greenhouse and it’s a nice area for a picnic.

“Saturday was lovely and there were a lot of activities for the children. We are hoping to run the workshops in the summer for everyone – children and adults.”

“Anyone can use it, and it shows what can be done and what can happen. I for one would love to get involved and help out if anyone is looking at doing something similar.

Work to clear the site began in November and construction was completed at the end of February.

The project’s partners include Knutsford Town Council, whose environment committee chairman Cllr Peter Coan joined Samantha in hoping others will be inspired and follow suit.

He said: “When we looked at the project we were bowled over. It’s such a brilliant thing for the local people to enjoy and I take my hat off to them as chair of the environment committee, to all the people who have sorted this project and seen it through to completion. It’s absolutely great.

“If only more like-minded groups come to the fore in the town to create little oases in our grotspots. This is an example to people of what can be achieved.

“Hopefully people will see it and be encouraged to tackle similar issues near them.”

Knutsford and District Lions, Manchester Airport community trust fund, WA16PR, Costain, Treestation, Planit-it, the Big Lottery Fund and Great Places housing all join the town council on a sponsors’ board.

Work was done by Matty at Stott's Gardening, Adam at Cheshire Garden and Property & Jay Pye.

Among a number of features in the new garden, a painting by sight-impaired artist Erin Hague entitled ‘The Garden Cat’ takes pride of place.

Erin, 19, studies fine art at Mid Cheshire College, and relies on her guide dog Vita to get around. On Saturday, seven-year-old Chloe Blaylock raised just over £50 for guide dogs selling cakes she had made.