Thank you to Weymouth’s parks and gardens volunteers
As another busy year in Weymouth’s parks and gardens draws to a close, Weymouth Town Council says a big ‘Thank you!’ to all the volunteers who have helped out in 2021.
Weymouth’s green spaces have been busier than ever during the pandemic, with people appreciating them as a place to relax, exercise and socialise, so support from volunteers has been more essential than ever this year.
One of the council’s regular volunteer groups is the diligent Dorset Volunteer Centre’s ‘Green Fingers Group’, who garden in St John’s Gardens just off the Dorchester Road. The Green Fingers volunteers regularly tend an area of the gardens, growing a fantastic range of plants and fruit and vegetables. They have even created a new wildflower area to encourage bees and other pollinators. Weymouth College have also been out assisting with general upkeep in these gardens, with students painting fences and weeding the rose beds.
Siobhan Davis from Dorset Volunteer Centre said: “Local residents are welcome to take any vegetables or fruit grown in St. John’s Gardens. We also encourage families with young children to come and say hello to the volunteers – the group is equally made up of people with learning disabilities and members of the local community enabling them.”
Another fantastic group of volunteers maintain The Peace Gardens on the Nothe. This group works every Saturday to ensure this special walled garden is beautifully kept.
Most of Weymouth’s parks and gardens have active Friends’ groups – volunteers who carry out a range of activities ranging from organising events and fundraising to carrying out practical work around the gardens.
Cllr Colin Huckle, Mayor of Weymouth Town Council, said: “We are fortunate in Weymouth to have such a wonderful network of green spaces, from the award-winning formal gardens at Sandsfoot and Greenhill, to wilder areas such as Lodmoor Country Park with many more in between. However, what really makes them special and brings them to life is the volunteers that use and support them
“A big thank you to all those who have supported Weymouth Town Council’s parks and gardens over the last year. Your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated.”
Joining a Friends’ Group is a great way to support your local park, meet new people and get involved in different activities.
The Friends of the Nothe group will be restarting in the New Year, so if you’re looking for a new volunteering role in 2022, please get in touch. New members are also needed for the Friends of the Marsh group. However, all the groups welcome new members so if you would like to join one, please contact parks@weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk.