Green Flag success for GVS and its CF61 Community Garden
GVS’ CF61 Community Gardens have been awarded a prestigious Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag Award in recognition of their excellent community facilities, high environmental standards, and commitment to delivering high quality green spaces.
The Green Flag Community Award is a nationally recognised award which is presented to green spaces that meet objectives including strong community involvement, environmental management, biodiversity, landscape and heritage and for being a welcoming place.
CF61 Community Garden is located around the CF61 Community Centre in Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan, run by Glamorgan Voluntary Services (GVS). The majority of the gardens are open permanently and are available for the community to enjoy. The gardens are made up of small sections which have been themed to include a sensory garden, the beach, children's nature area, vegetable plots, mini orchard, the mound, the picnic area, wall garden, herb garden and allotment. Each of these areas has been lovingly brought to life by a dedicated team of volunteers. Most of the volunteers are local and the group is made up of a variety of ages and abilities. The project uses recycled and repurposed items with emphasis on being as eco-friendly as possible. The gardens have a robust composting system and a wormery to provide as much peat free compost and fertiliser as possible. All produce grown is given to GVS’ Foodshare Pantry which runs from the CF61 Community Centre each week. The Pantry provides the community with low-cost food and helps to reduce food waste. The group works closely with other community groups and the local college and relies on grants and donations of plants and equipment from the local community.
Paul Warren, Operations Manager for GVS, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that the Green Flag Community Award has been awarded to the CF61 gardens. Huge thanks must go to the dedication of all our volunteers whose ideas, inspiration and hard work have made this award possible."
