Secret garden in the heart of Widnes

Published by Laura Beckett for Halton Housing Trust in Housing and also in Communities, Environment

A courtyard has been transformed thanks to one woman’s hard work and a donation from Halton Housing Trust’s Beyond the Garden Gate programme.

Bumblebees, pear and grape trees now adorn the courtyard at Alice Court in Widnes after resident Kathleen Yates used her green fingered magic to transform a communal area next to her home.

New resident Kathleen, 60, received five tonnes of soil from the Trust after her request was picked up via online networking site Facebook: “When I moved into Alice Court three months ago, I bought lots of plants from my previous home. There was an unused raised bed and I thought that I could sow my plants there. I just needed some soil, so I contacted Halton Housing Trust via Facebook and they got back to me straight away.”

“Within a few days, workmen had delivered the soil. I’m so pleased with the garden – it looks lovely now.”

The funds were provided by Halton Housing Trust’s Beyond the Garden Gate, a neighbourhood investment programme that works with its communities throughout Halton to prioritise funding.

Kathleen has filled the communal bed with flowers including lupins and sunflowers, and also created a leaf covered archway and planted grape and pear trees.

Michele Murphy, Neighbourhood Regeneration Assistant at the Trust, said: “I’m thrilled that our donation has led to the creation of a beautiful garden. This is a great example of how our customers are helping to transform the communities that they live in.”

For further information about Beyond the Garden Gate, please contact Michele on 0151 510 5087. To view the photos of the Alice Court courtyard, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Halton-Housing-Trust/105856779324