Junior Warden mentors turn into green-fingered gardeners

Dodging the raindrops last week, 12 green fingered Junior Warden mentors started digging an overgrown garden to transform it into vegetable and flower beds.

The young people planned and designed the garden to include herbs and shrubs to attract wildlife but keep pests away from the growing vegetables.

The garden, at the back of the community wardens’ office in Lingmell Close, Langley, was overgrown and unused.  As part of Bowlee Park Housing’s summer activities, the community wardens decided to involve the young people in its transformation and teach them new skills.

Once the vegetables are grown, the Junior Warden mentors plan to distribute the fresh produce to elderly residents in their community.  

Kelly Ward, Junior Warden mentor, said: “I’ve not done much gardening in the past but I really enjoyed designing it and getting started this morning.  I really like being a Junior Warden mentor because I get to do things I wouldn’t usually do.”

Colin Whiteley, Bowlee Park Housing community warden supervisor, said: “The Community Wardens’ work has expanded beyond our expectations.  Whilst visiting elderly members of the community we realised that there needed to be more interaction between older and younger residents.

"This garden is an excellent opportunity for the Junior Wardens to use their creativity, get out in the fresh air, and produce something worthwhile to benefit the community.”  

All of the Junior Warden mentors were Bowlee Park Housing Junior Wardens until the age of 12 who have chosen to carry on their positive work in the community by mentoring new Junior Wardens.

The aim of the scheme is to encourage children to take pride in the area where they live, take an interest in their community and get involved in activities such as litter picking and reporting vandalism.