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Filton Community Garden

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Town Clerk Report

Town Clerk Report

Helen Johnson Chair, Filton Community Garden

The year started off with us saying ‘we are just maintaining the garden’ and then somehow it turned out into a whirlwind of events and exciting new projects! This was made possible by the continued support of the core volunteers and the many others who dip in to help out.

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As well as welcoming the local primary schools and Filton Twinning, we have been joined by Bristol North Swimming Club, FACE, Filton Twinning, Aviva and more recently the pro active South Glos Race Equality Network who are planting a ‘garden of the world’.

We liaise closely with the South Glos Green Space Forum where we learn and share with many ‘friends of’ groups who face similar challenges. Lately we introducing the Millennium Green Group to the forum and we intend to work closely with them, planting and greening in Filton. We have also been supported by Men in Sheds who have helped us replace the fairy letter box and the rose fences and by the FTC Grounds Team who mow, and are always very helpful with maintenance.

For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration, we planted red, white and blue flowers, Charborough Road School decorated their ‘community bed’ and the Girl Guides made a wonderful artwork of flags on the fence. Since her passing, we have planted many lilies of the valley and a rose and now have 3 new benches dedicated to her.

You will remember 2022 summer was exceptionally hot and dry. Even so the garden survived, thanks to a rota of waterers who visited daily and managed to keep the main beds looking great. We are bracing ourselves for the months ahead. With climate change in mind we have turned to more perennial and drought resistant planting. Since January we have been involved with the Filton Pollinator Project, which aims to improve the habitat for pollinators through guidance and planting in FIlton. Working closely with FACE and a group of students and with financial help from UWE Bristol and South Glos Council High Streets, This is beneficial for the environment and community alike a project that all Filton residents can join in.

Exciting events held in the past year include:

‘Fairy Workshop’ where young children and parents collected bits and bobs and made magic potions and wands. The Get Growing Garden Trail where we made wormeries.

The Summer Fete best ever!

Remembrance service where the last post was played brilliantly by a student from Trinity School, Lockleaze. Festive Sing a long with carols and Christmas songs

The RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch

The RHS Big Seed Swap,

A bat walk

‘Hidden Heroes’, a unique and totally Filton event put on by the Natural Theatre Company. This year is our 10th Anniversary and will be repeating many of the above events. We continue with the ‘gardening get together’ sessions through our the year and always find things to do. Now held alternate Saturdays 11am 1pm. Do continue to visit and enjoy the garden it’s your very own oasis in Filton.

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