Discover North Tyneside’s hidden gardens
Crawl this way for a tour of gardens which are greening communities. Tony Henderson reports
A circuit of gardens are inviting visitors to join in a day devoted to celebrating community green spaces and growing.
On Saturday (June 20), five North Tyneside gardens will welcome people in a free event titled the Great Community Garden Crawl.
The event is organised by North Tyneside Voluntary Organisations Development Agency (VODA), which works in the voluntary and community sector, championing volunteers, empowering organisations and making voices heard.
“The event came about as a result of the gardens’ desire to support one another and collaborate on a borough-wide event, enabling them to share their love of gardening, nature and community, and to encourage more people to take up gardening and play an active role in greening their neighbourhoods,” said a VODA spokesperson.
“Visitors can meet the dedicated volunteers who keep these vital community spaces thriving for both people and nature.
“Throughout the day there will be garden tours, bug hunts, pond dipping, crafts and other family-friendly activities, with plenty of opportunities to pick up ideas and take inspiration home to start a gardening project of your own.”
A map guide has been produced for the tour, which includes:
The Meadows Community Garden, across five acres in Meadow Well, North Shields, which has been operating for nearly 30 years in Waterville Road.
Lovaine Community Garden at the junction of Lovaine Place and Cecil Street in North Shields, which mixes organic growing with musical events.
The Secret Garden Club at Whitley Bay Young Persons Centre off Hillheads Road behind the ice rink. Open from 10am to 5pm.
The Station Master’s Community Wildlife Garden opposite Clarence and Waterford Crescents in Whitley Bay.
West Moor Gardening Group behind the local community centre. Open from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
The Garden Crawl Map can be accessed and downloaded at voda.org.uk/garden-map.
The event grew from VODA’s Grow & Eat project in collaboration with the Garden Network of North Tyneside.
Grow & Eat empowers communities across the region to use available spaces, both public and private, for food growing and enhanced physical and mental health.