This collaboration between the Rotary Club of Barton-le-Clay, the Parish Council and Blooming Barton, was launched at the Coronation Celebration event on 8th May 2023 with the aim of creating a community garden for the Village.
After much investigation, a suitable site was identified on the former allotment land in Hexton Road, adjacent to the Village Hall and Doctors Surgery. The objectives were to establish a wellbeing garden for community members, including the public and those in receipt of social prescribing by the doctors.
Members of the public gave their thoughts on what the garden should look like and clearly indicated that preferences were for sensory, accessibility, wildlife homes / pollinator flowers, covered areas, i.e., a cottage garden style. There were also many offers of help ranging from design expertise to construction and ongoing maintenance.
Following the successful launch, the partners progressed with fund raising, seeking further assistance from local businesses and a design scheme to incorporate the ideas put forward.
The groundwork started at the site in March 2024, to create the flower beds, lay down the paths and put in new access gates. This was completed, and regular planting and maintenance started. If you are interested in helping with this, please contact the Parish Council to register your details. You do not need to be an experienced gardener and instructions and tools will be provided.
The creation of the garden provides a space for residents to socialise and enjoy. Wellbeing walks are held bi-weekly on Monday afternoons, starting from the entrance gates to the Garden. Please look out for more information on these on the Parish Noticeboards.
Preview Day – 19th May 2024
Thanks to everyone who visited the garden and to the volunteers who give up their time to make this a lovely community asset for the Village, with regular planting, watering and maintenance.
Formal Opening of the Garden – 31st July 2024
It was lovely to see everyone who attended the Grand Opening of the Community Garden on 31st July. Andy Knight, President of Barton-le-Clay Rotary Club, welcomed everyone and thanked those who have been involved in the project to establish such a beautiful site. The honour of the formal ribbon-cutting was undertaken by local resident, David Hendon (in his 100th year!), who planted and maintained many hedges and trees around the Village over the past 40 years. The Garden is now open daily for members of the public to visit and enjoy – between 9am and 6pm (or dusk during winter months). News on future events will be shared as they are arranged.
You can follow progress on our Facebook page Coronation Community Garden.
Events:
On the 21st April 2025, we held a fund-raising event in the Garden to help raise much needed funds to continue to develop and grow the Garden. On 17th January 2026 we held a Big Garden Birdwatch event to support the RSPB. On 25th May 2026, we are planning a Fun Day at the Garden for families to enjoy and raise funds for further improvements in the Garden. Further events will be organised in due course.
Gardening Events:
Gardening events are held regularly to maintain the area – a weeding session is usually held on the first Saturday of every month.
The next Volunteers Weeding event will be held on Saturday 23rd May 2026 – 9.30am-11.30am. Please bring your own equipment, if possible.
News:
We are delighted to have received a Certificate of Commendation in the ‘Grass Roots & Green Shoots’ section of the 2025 CPRE Bedfordshire Living Countryside awards.
Funding Partners:
This project was part-funded by the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
We are also delighted to have received support from the Whitbread PLC Chairman’s Fund managed by the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation (BLCF).
