Cefn Golau looks towards a greener future.

Invest Local group Cefn Golau Together have recently part funded the introduction of a Community Growing Co-ordinator, Mandy Horton, along with the Police and Crime Commission, who is employed by Tafy. 

The aim of helping to fund this position is to get a new growing space at the corner of Gainsborough Road and Walter Conway Avenue in Cefn Golau developed, along with establishing extra growing initiatives in the community that will include introducing adults and children’s gardening clubs at the community house to be run weekly. BCT recently spoke to Mandy to learn more about her role. 

Mandy began by telling me a bit about her background and what encouraged her to apply for the role. 

“I am a horticulturist and trained with the Royal Horticultural Society 10 years ago. I was working in a local garden centre for some years in my last post.  I felt that the post would enable me to share my love of horticulture and “growing your own” produce as I am passionate about inspiring the next generation on the benefits of looking after our environment.  I live only a few miles away and so knew the area though not Cefn Golau itself.” 

I asked Mandy to tell us more about some of the projects she has begun working on through her new role. 

“Since I started at the end of February, I have been working to establish adult’s and children’s gardening clubs at the community house weekly. Planning the work for the new growing space and organising with volunteers and trustees for the Golau Charity Fun Day to take place on 25th July.  In addition, we have been working on establishing the Food Pantry from the Community House, at present 140 food parcels are given out to local residents per month and it’s currently awaiting an inspection in order to be able to accept food donations from Fareshare once the new flooring work has been completed.” 

It's clear that Mandy’s role will bring vital support into the community, by helping to develop essential resources and services for the residents. At this point, the discussion is drawn back to the exciting prospect of the community growing space being developed as part of the project. 

“Currently the space is awaiting the erection of a boundary fence and polytunnel. The future garden will likely include wheelchair-accessible growing spaces, native wildlife beneficial hedging, fruit bushes and trees, raised beds for vegetables, potting shed, a memorial garden, hedgehog houses, bird feeders, a wildlife pond and potentially in the future beehives. It is also planned to have free tool loans for local residents and plant and seed giveaways from the plant nursery. 

With so many community groups and services now mindful to look at projects through an eco-conscious and sustainable perspective, Mandy explains some of the aspects of the growing space that will be included in the design of the space that will help to encourage better biodiversity in the area.  

“There will be the creation of a native wildlife boundary hedge with a mix of shrubs and trees, like Hawthorn, blackthorn, Cornus, Dogrose, Elder, Holly, crab apple and Hazel. Also, planting of fruit bushes and Welsh heritage fruit trees. We also want to establish a wildflower/pollinator garden, a bee-friendly plot.”

Although Mandy’s background is in horticulture, Mandy’s arrival will also work to address well-being and resources in other areas of the community by supporting and developing further community initiatives. Mandy explains some of the plans that are afoot due to a recent boost in space. 

“We now have a confidential room/safe space available for use. Currently, Platfform is using it weekly and we hope to attract the likes, of CAD, Gwent Out of Work Partnership, Aneurin Bevan Community Health Programme, Smart Money, Bridge, Blaenau Gwent Youth Service and other similar services.

This space will also help us to offer other initiatives we’re planning on setting up, including, cooking club activities for residents, like Crock pot cooking classes and crochet/knitting/craft clubs to enable residents to come together and learn and share ideas. With the larger space at the future Community Centre, we will have scope to provide many more activities and classes to include for example fitness classes ie. yoga, pilates and massage etc. We will also be able to extend our Coffee & Company mornings with the larger space and kitchen area which could include baking cakes. Parent & toddler groups and OAP groups are also being considered.

We hope that having this extra space will enable the residents of Cefn Golau to access information on a wide range of subjects from mental health and well-being to finance, budgeting and health, employment and leisure. The overall goal of the groups we are working with and of Tafy and the purpose of the introduction of my role is to create a stronger community that has access to more opportunities inside and outside Cefn Golau and for everyone to feel valued, supported and respected.”