There sure is a big surprise.
In what would be considered an urban area - down a seemingly normal street is a community garden that slopes down to Wingfield Wood and you wouldn’t know its there.
The Wingfield Road Community Garden is a patch of land that was adopted by local residents and turned into a fully functioning garden, capable of growing your own fruit and vegetables and relying heavily on recycling and ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Part of its charm is that it is found through a secret door and down a gentle slope, away from the road, bringing a certain peace and tranquility not usually found in the middle of such a built-up area.
The secret garden not only hosts a variety of beautifully coloured flowers that bloom each spring, but also offers a social heart where residents can come along and spend time together on their hobbies of planting, cultivating and recycling.
The plot itself is divided into smaller raised beds, which each resident looks after and can call their own – the soil here yields a good harvest and this year the garden did very well, particularly with runner beans, rhubarb and raspberries.
While local people have donated lots of equipment, such as tools, plant pots and chairs, the residents of the garden ensure they're as green as can be by making their own compost from garden and kitchen waste.
A craft shed has been created where residents can bring their children to draw, craft and learn about various gardening and wildlife, providing a welcome respite while their parents look after their veg plots and flowerbeds.
Bird feeders adorn the bottom end of the garden, allowing a variety of wildlife to thrive, including squirrels and various birds depending on the time of year.
It comes as no surprise then that Wingfield Road Community Garden scooped another award to add to its ever-growing collection. The most recent accolade being a Neighbourhood Award from Britain in Bloom with the Royal Horticultural Society.
The garden was visited by two Britain in Bloom judges who couldn’t fail to be blown away by its success and what it brings to the community, awarding the garden a Level 5 Outstanding Neighbourhood Award.
Andy Strickland has been heavily involved with the garden as a founding member and spends several hours there each week. Andy said: "It is such a joy to see this land being used by the community and how it is a place of solace at times. “Bird song abounds all around and sitting and relaxing of an early morning or evening it is like a concert. I’m certainly hoping more locals become members."
Ryan Huws, Communities Worker for PCH who has been helping with the garden for the past few years, said: “Over the past few years, residents have worked so hard to turn what was previously a derelict piece of land into a fruitful, social and peaceful space. It was a pleasure to show the RHS judges around the garden and they were obviously very impressed! Big congratulations to all involved.”
The Wingfield Road Community Garden is open to other residents who want to get involved. If you know any residents who are interested contact us on 0808 230 6500 or communities@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk
