PLANS to create a Garden of Eden around Kirkby Stephen's health centre have been expanded to include the whole community, reports KAREN MORLEY.

Initial plans for the land, donated to the project by Eden Valley Primary health Care trust, aimed to give the over 60s the opportunity to grow plants and friendship as part of the Carlisle and Eden Garden Clubs project. Now that has been extended to all residents in a bid to create a true Community Garden for all.

Professional gardener Jane Barker is co-ordinating the project, and Kirkby Stephen is one of four new allotment-based gardening clubs being set up with funding from Eden Local health Group and health Action Zone Cumbria. Carlisle Local Health Group are also supporting the project.

Jane explained: "Last year we ran a project in Carlisle, in collaboration with Lancaster University, called Cultivating Health. The results of this research showed that, for many of the participants, joining with others of a similar age and engaging in the gentle gardening planned on site led to them feeling both physically better and generally happier and more positive.

"As a result of this we have been able to secure funding to fun four more schemes in this part of the county.

"We feel this is a great opportunity for the whole community to be represented and create a very special place that residents can call their own."

The project is backed by the Eden Local Health Group and headed by Dr Rebecca Wagstaff, Eden Valley PCT's Director of Public Health.

Jane's role is to help set up the groups and work with the volunteer gardeners as a gardening adviser one-day a week.

Appleby-based Jane said: "I am available to give help, advise and support with the development of the community garden. I would love to hear from anyone interested in getting involved.

"This is a follow-on from the very successful Cultivating Health research project which ran last year in Carlisle and is funded by Eden

Local Health Group and Health Action Zone."

The 200-sq. metre allotment is now ready and waiting for volunteers to dig in. You do not need experience of gardening, support will be given. You may have moved to a smaller home where there is no garden and you want to continue to grow your favourite flowers, or just fancy trying your hand at growing vegetables. If so, the Kirkby Stephen Community Garden is for you.

Jane added: "We are very grateful to Eden Valley PCT for the use of the land in Kirkby Stephen."

You can have your own piece of allotment or work together as a team on a larger part of the garden. What becomes of the Kirkby Stephen Community Garden is up to those who get involved.

May 21, 2003 09:30