St Oswald’s community garden, Pembroke, owned by Pembrokeshire Housing Association, is situated at the back of St. Oswald’s flats. It has been passed for the use of the community, through 21c, to be run by and for the community. Access is from the commons via a gate in the wall. The garden is usually open on a Thursday from 10 am - 12 noon and from 2-4.30 pm weather permitting.

The hope is that people will increasingly come along to enjoy the garden - to have a stroll around, sit and enjoy or even sketch. Draw Pembroke group enjoyed a morning doing so recently. Volunteers are always welcome too and there are plenty of the gardening jobs. However, as a walled burgage plot, it does have steep access and paths can be uneven so care must be taken and children supervised!

Volunteer and childminder Ali Moore recently made a presentation to Pembroke Soup explaining how as a child minder and parent, she and children greatly enjoy the garden. The community garden were grateful to received funds on the day to cover the cost of compost and three children’s gardening bags complete with a range of tools and also children’s gardening gloves.

Children have been coming along with their parents for some months - in early spring, summer bulbs were planted in tyres and recently a crop of potatoes, have been harvested much to the glee of the children who ‘found’ the potatoes in the soil!

Gradually, the beds have been filled with plants, many donated. Local tree surgeon, Tree Solutions, donated wood chip and, with weed suppressant fabric donated by Jewsons in Pembroke, many of the garden paths have been transformed.

A greenhouse was donated earlier in the year and caused much joviality as it was carried through Pembroke to its new home.

The greenhouse has been placed in a sunny spot at the top of the garden and has been bursting with tomatoes during this summer.

So what is hoped for future of the garden? Joan Marsh, a regular volunteer, shares that she would love to see more people in the community coming and visiting and getting involved. She has been really pleased at the numbers of parents and children coming along and getting their hands dirty (not so much now as there are children’s gloves!) Volunteers are always welcome. The garden is sheltered and peaceful.

The recent live willow weaving course was very successful and not only did participants enjoy gaining willow weaving skills, but a willow den was made for the children to enjoy.

She expressed that she hoped that there would be the opportunity for more courses within the garden - art or wood engraving maybe. She is hoping also to end the season with a barbecue!

Information about the garden can be found on posters outside, or at Foundry House or by coming along on Thursday.

In the short term, we have high hopes for Pembroke sunflower competition. Sunflowers need to be measured by the end of August (even if they have passed their best! ) and prizes for the five tallest and five best documented,will be awarded at Pembroke Soup at Pembroke Town Hall, 12-1.30 pm on Saturday, September 9.