Growing support for relaxation garden

A “calm oasis” for Bollington residents is being proposed by The Bridgend Centre, one of the community’s leading charities.

The charity is seeking to extend a currently-disused veranda behind its buildings on Palmerston Street. The aim is to create a new community space and contemplation garden, for use by local residents, next to the River Dean. The Centre also hopes to construct a greenhouse to grow vegetables, as well as plants and wildflowers, to encourage bees and butterflies.

Local MP, David Rutley, a longstanding supporter and Patron of The Bridgend Centre, met recently with representatives from the charity, as well as service users. He heard from them about the proposals and the fundraising efforts to date, and learned more about how the plans would help the charity in its important work to assist those in the community who are feeling isolated or vulnerable.

The total funding needed to realise the project is £8,000. The project is being promoted in local branches of the supermarket Tesco as one of its three ‘Bags of Help’ charities in July and August. Customers receive tokens through Tesco purchases to nominate one of the three chosen charities. These then receive a grant of either £1,000, £2,000 or £4,000, depending on the number of votes that they receive. £2,000 has also recently been pledged to The Bridgend Centre by Cheshire East Council, as part of its ‘Connected Community Centre’ initiative.

Individual donations towards the project are also being accepted through The Bridgend Centre’s website (www.bridgendcentre.org.uk/home/donate), and through purchases made at its charity shop in Palmerston Street.

Speaking after his visit, David said, “This is a great project, and one that has my active support. The Bridgend Centre’s work to support all of Bollington’s residents, whatever their age, background and abilities, is well-established and much-valued by local residents. This latest project will help the charity to further its important work to reach out to those who are feeling lonely and help improve mental wellbeing by creating a new space for contemplation and calm. I wish The Bridgend Centre every success going forward, and will continue to support this excellent initiative.”