Ashley Ball visits a popular community garden which attracts, visitors, volunteers and wildlife.
SPRINGVALE Community Garden is a four-acre shining example of what can be achieved when a few like-minded people all pull in the same direction.
Set beside the River Don close to Penistone the garden has numerous sections from an orchard, vegetable patch, polytunnel, composting site and an extensive wildlife area with a pond.
What is particularly unusual and impressive is their take on the phsyic garden.
The various beds grow the same plants that the old master apothecarists grew to treat various ailments. They are grown in individual beds for each part of the nervous system. For example, there is a skin specific bed which features the likes of wild bergamot or bee balm - which is hailed for its soothing qualities.
There are more than 20 regular volunteers who work across the site and it is a hive of activity on its open days on Wednesday and Saturdays.
Produce is turned into jams and there is also an on-site apiary.
The bees roam for up to 5km which ensures a totally different taste to the honey each year and in the two harvests a year.
Heading up the volunteers is Brenda Halliwell.
She talked me through the history of the once derelict site.
She said: “The site had lots of wire and glass and stuff dumped everywhere.
“There was no water and no electricity so the people who came down all those years ago must have had some flipping vision and tenacity and one or two of them are still here.
“Over the 15 years, everything’s been created. We raise money by selling plants and produce and we also put on events and welcome schoolchildren.
“We have Duke of Edinburgh students come in to volunteer as well.
“Every Wednesday and Saturday we’re open to the public but on other days we have Brownies, Cubs and wellness groups who visit.
“People have even had birthday parties here.
“It’s very much a garden that people can get involved in. The garden runs on volunteers, tea and biscuits.”
Donations come in from local companies and it allows for the garden to keep evolving and expanding.
“We are attracting more and more people. We like to be known as a well-kept secret but it’s great to get publicity too. It allows us to do more.”
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