An enthusiastic and competent group of young apprentices undertaking a week of Lifeskills training with The Development Company in Haverfordwest, delivered what they had learned by running a day-long work party in St. Oswald’s Community Garden in Pembroke.

The aim was to plan and deliver a project in one day. They were briefed the day before by volunteers from Pembroke 21C Community Association who manage the garden, and asked them to clear and prepare an area for a potting shed.

They completed that, including new steps up to the area, and much more. A new path was installed and the seating area near to the already completed cooking area was cleared, with three new benches made from wooden pallets.

A big bonfire burned the uncompostable garden waste and finally bulbs and plants were put around the garden in recycled tyre planters.

“The group were an inspiration”, said Elizabeth Gossage, project manager with the community garden. “They were efficient, hard working and had clearly learned well about customer service. We hope to continue this relationship with the Development Company to involve them in other local projects.”

Director of the Development Company, Mike Hopkins, said: “Working with 21C has allowed us to deliver challenging development programmes to high calibre apprentices from some of the UK’s leading businesses. They do great work within our community and we hope to continue our relationship with them.”

St. Oswald’s garden is loaned to the community by the Pembrokeshire Housing Trust. Weekly work parties are held on Saturday mornings to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs with a small orchard planted near the top of the garden. It is hoped to develop the community spaces in the garden - a cooking and eating area and the potting shed - so that it can be used by other local groups.

Tanyard Youth Project are already involved, helping to create the cooking area and planting seeds to be grown in the garden in their own polytunnel.