09 Mar Leigh Library Gardens plans begin to blossom and coffers get a boost
The Friends of Leigh Library Gardens (FOLLG) have been hard at work in the Gardens acting upon the consultation undertaken in December and benefitting from a boost to the funds for the improvements planned for the Gardens.
On Thursday 27 February, the regular quiz night hosted by Valerie Bates at the Constitutional Club on Elm Road in Leigh made FOLLG its charity for the night. The event raised £516 for the charity.
Following the successful public consultation on what Leigh residents would like to see happen in the Gardens, FOLLG arranged for the Parks team to cut back trees on 28 February to create a more open vista to the south of the Library, enhancing the view across the estuary. Due to recent success in securing funding from London Southend Airports and support from the Southend Council Parks Team, works to develop the mini fruit orchard in the lower gardens will commence over the next few months.
Russell Hallmark, Chair of FOLLG said ‘Volunteers from FOLLG had a great night at the quiz and we are extremely grateful to Valerie and the club for welcoming us and raising such a fantastic amount. It has been really rewarding to see substantial work in the Gardens taking place and to see that our plans and the needs and wishes of Leigh residents are being listened to by our partners in the Parks Department. We are looking forward to working hard to make the Gardens a vibrant community asset where all are welcome and can benefit from the space and peace it offers.’
The Friends meet in the Gardens, near the Library building, at 10am to 11.30am on working party days. These are the 1st and 3rd Wednesday and 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. Tools are provided but you are advised to wear suitable clothing for outdoor work. No gardening experience is needed and no special skills are required. This is a great opportunity
to meet new friends, get some exercise in the fresh air and benefit the local community. All are welcome. No need to register to attend, just turn up and introduce yourself.
For more information, please email follg2018@gmail.com or drop into one of the working party sessions and talk to a volunteer.
