A project to set up a community allotment has been officially opened by the new leader of St Helens Council.

The project at Cabbage Hall Allotments includes the creation of raised beds and paved paths throughout the allotments to make the entire area fully accessible regardless of age or ability.

A new portakabin has been installed which will be used to host workshops, presentations and activities for visiting adult and children’s groups, while a new composting toilet, complete with wheelchair access, provides an environmentally-friendly way to handle visitors’ waste.

The community garden was made possible thanks to a £25,000 grant from Enovert Community Trust and £3,500 from St Helens Councillor Improvement Fund.

Volunteers from the allotment site were responsible for delivering the project.

Cllr David Baines, leader of St Helens Council along with councillors Gill Neal and Mancyia Uddin, attended the allotment’s opening plant sale event on 18th May.

Cllr Neal said: “Cllrs Baines, Uddin and I were delighted to support this project and grateful to all those who have provided the funding to make it happen. The Community Garden is an accessible space to support health and wellbeing and provide opportunities for people to learn new skills.”

Sharon Martindale, chairman of the Cabbage Hall Allotment Association, said: “Cabbage Hall Allotments have been going for over 70 years and this project will ensure that we can continue to play an active role in bringing the community together.

"With our fully accessible allotment, all members of the community can enjoy learning how to grow vegetables and flowers together, encouraged by our knowledgeable and experienced growers.”

Angela Haymonds, Trust Secretary at Enovert Community Trust, added: "The Trustees were delighted to contribute to this incredibly worthwhile project, which provides fantastic opportunities for adults and children to enjoy a range of outdoor activities in a safe, accessible environment.”

Cabbage Hall Allotments is a non-profit association run by volunteers, which raises funds by selling surplus fruit and vegetables grown throughout the year, as well as through the sale of items related to keeping an allotment. All funds generated are used to maintain the community allotment.

Cabbage Hall Allotments is situated in St Helens, not far from Enovert's Lyme and Wood Landfill Site.

For more information on Enovert Community Trust, please contact Angela Haymonds on 01753 582513 or ahaymonds@enovertct.org or visit enovertct.org.