Cuckfield & Lindfield and Haywards Heath Rotary clubs lend support to community garden

Two Rotary clubs have joined up to support a garden development.
Grove Garden SUS-201123-130156001Grove Garden SUS-201123-130156001
Grove Garden SUS-201123-130156001

Cuckfield & Lindfield Rotary Club and Haywards Heath Rotary Club are helping with the development of Grove Garden, just off Heath Road, in Haywards Heath.

They were jointly awarded a community project grant of £1,000 by the Rotary District South.

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The grant was matched by the clubs bringing the total donation to the project to £2,000.

A spokesman from Rotary said: “Grove Garden is a legacy of Joyce Grove, a drama teacher and philanthropist who lived on Heath Road.

“She bequeathed a significant portion of her walled garden to the community, especially to give benefit to the elderly who may not have a garden of their own.

“Over the last few years, the trustees of Grove Garden, chaired by Nigel Allyson-Ryan, together with the mayor of Haywards Heath Alastair McPherson, led the way in planning the development.

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“The ground was cleared, and old trees felled, but this year, the work was disrupted by Covid-19.

“Now landscaping is underway, using the Rotary donation to create raised beds and terraces, and it is hoped to be able to open to visitors next summer.

“The garden will be a peaceful retreat, particularly welcomed by the elderly, but the space will also be used for a wide variety of community activities.

“It will encourage art, culture, exercise, social interaction and will be of enormous benefit to mental wellbeing at this difficult time.

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Several other organisations are also supporting the project, with finance, design and development, volunteer work and eventually, running the activities.

“Rotary is proud to be involved at an early stage to help this wonderful community project to get off the ground, and to help to honour the memory of the original benefactor, Joyce Grove.”

To find out more about the project visit www.grovegarden.uk, and to find your local Rotary club, visit www.rotarycl.org

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