The community garden needs your help

activities, and last year the net profit for our own community benefit group was under £2,000. This needs to grow as despite being extremely efficient with their cash they have peanuts in reserve and need to build up a little safety margin.

They have been operating on a short term licence, which creates uncertainty and they need, like Jubilee Pool, to move to a longer term lease through a Community Asset Transfer (CAT). After lots of lobbying, the council eventually engaged, but then fired a grenade. They want to move the rent to £16,000 a year (presently £300) which is more than eight times the annual profit.

The garden have made an offer, that in our view is more than generous, with rent escalating over three years to provide a large part of what it takes to run our park, and also an offer to do the park security and to rescue the park pavilion after years of council neglect.

The council are threatening to pull the CAT which could lead to the garden being forced to close. That would be a disaster for our area and the numerous organisations they work with and advise, and for all the individuals who are helped.

Help choose the 2023 Good Garden Award

Voting is now open to help choose the design for the 20th Greater Bedminster Good Front Garden Award. People can vote online at bloomingbedminster.org.uk until Sunday 30 April and the winning design will be revealed in May. Judging for this year’s awards takes place between 17 June and 9 July, so start planning your beautiful front garden displays and hopefully you will soon receive a shiny new certificate for your window. Good luck!