Popular Walsall based community garden officially opens new and improved facilities

Walsall Council has proudly supported the development of Caldmore Community Garden, and members attended the official opening of the new facilities on Tuesday 16 July 2024.

The extension to the downstairs area has created a modern kitchen area, more sitting areas, storage space, a fire exit, and a kitchen and café, providing much-needed additional space for the centre to run activities and services.

A grant of over £83,000 was awarded for the improvements through Walsall Council’s Community Capital programme, which awards grant funding to community organisations to help them grow and develop their offer for local people.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council, said: “We are delighted to have supported the expansion of Caldmore Community Garden. We are committed to the growth and development of projects that benefit our residents, and Caldmore Community Garden is essential for the local community. The extension that they have built will help them to provide even more services and opportunities.

“It’s been great to come back and see the difference that has been made, the extension looks fantastic and will be a real asset for local people.”

Mohammed Arif, Chairperson of the Caldmore Community Garden, said: “We are very excited about receiving the Community Capital funding to extend the downstairs space and kitchen.

“The funding will enable us to grow our offer of community activities, training courses, creative workshops, and to deliver them for the benefit of the local community. The larger space will be used as a community café at events, a training venue for Caldmore Community Garden volunteers and wider community members, and as a meeting space for our regular sessions including Men’s Shed, Women’s Tuesdays, Caldmore Tots, and Garden Saturdays.”

Caldmore Community Garden offers training and development opportunities for residents as well as space to work and play outdoors. The community garden is used by local schools including Caldmore Village Primary School and Whitehall Junior School to learn about growing food.

The extension will enable the delivery of more training courses for volunteers and community members, cooking groups and social activities giving local people somewhere to learn skills and socialise.

The Community Capital programme, funded through the Walsall and Bloxwich Town Deal, accepts applications from community groups and services looking for funding to upgrade buildings and expand their offer. Projects in receipt of funding have until 31 March 2026 to complete their improvements.

More information on the scheme can be found here on the council website.