News / lockleaze
Creating a buzz in a Lockleaze back alley
Nestled off a back alley behind the convenience shop and TV repair shop on Gainsborough Square in Lockleaze, a patch of land is being transformed into a shared community garden that aims to “share skills, tackle social isolation and build community”.
A pair of secateurs in one hand, a cup of tea in the other, facilitator of the Buzz Community Garden Anne-Louise Perez is keen to share her passion for creating an outdoor space for the local community.
“This is not a gardening club, it’s a shared garden where you can come for a cup of tea, catch up with friends, create something, get your hands dirty or just socialise with your local community and connect with people,” she tells Bristol24/7.
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Anne-Louise first got working on the patch in September, but says it was a tough time to start up a gardening project as the harvest had just been missed.
“Luckily there were already some planters there from many years ago, so I just got on and started tidying them up. People started coming along to sit and chat, and a few started to join in,” she says.
A patch of land is being transformed into a shared community garden in Lockleaze, which aims to “share skills, tackle social isolation and build community”
“It’s all about getting stuck in and learning,” Anne-Louise says within a smile, as she offers a pile of garden wire for untangling when realising a spare pair of hands were available.
“I’m not a gardener; the people who come along all have different skills and we’re all learning from each other. Some are really good at working with wood, some are knowledgeable about plants, there’s a lady who has done a course at Grow Wilder and she wants to put into practice what she’s learnt. Buzz is a great opportunity for that.”
Anne-Louise told Bristol24/7 that the community has been amazing with plants, seeds and material donations, and that benches have been donated too.
“Kellaway Builders have kindly donated wood so we could build bird boxes and we’re planning to build a mud kitchen for the youngsters too.”
Facilitator Anne-Louise Perez says people can join to learn skills, plant vegetables, build bird boxes, meet others and drink tea
Anne-Louise is keen to share that all the ideas come from locals and she just helps facilitate that.
“We’re going to be learning how to dead hedge together, we’re hoping to build a mini pond so we can bring in more wildlife,” she says.
“We are about to plant pumpkins, we’ve got garlic growing, we’ve got carrots, chard, a herb garden and fresh basil is coming up for the spring.”
With more than 1,500 new homes being built in Lockleaze, Anne-Louise reminds Bristol24/7 that many new people are moving to the area and they may not know anyone here.
“One chap who comes along has just moved from Yorkshire. He’s now met neighbours and other local people, so this outdoor space has been incredibly important for him.”
Anne-Louise adds that she’s had all ages come down from four-year-olds to 80-year-olds plus.
“All abilities are welcome, all people, all ages, all states of mental health,” she says.
“The feedback is always really positive. Some people turn up feeling gloomy and down, but they say they always leave feeling happier. I think it’s because they are connecting with real people and spending time outdoors. This kind of project is helping to tackle social isolation and build communities.”
The project aims to tackle social isolation and improve mental health through social connections and spending time outdoors
“Whether you’re a brilliant gardener, brilliant tea maker, brilliant talker, I just want people to come along and turn the space into their own back garden. Somewhere they can come in the summer and reap the rewards,” adds Anne-Louise, before she heads to the back of her campervan and turns the kettle on for the next round.
You can get involved by following the Buzz Community Garden facebook page, or drop-in every Wednesday and Saturday from 10-12pm.
Emily Shimell is reporting on Lockleaze as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media.
All photos: Anne-Louise Perez
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