VIDEO: Green-fingered volunteers create Hartlepool paradise

Green-fingered volunteers create Hartlepool paradise.

A gardening project is helping people in Hartlepool get green fingers while celebrating their culture.

Hartlepool Chinese Association was kindly given use of the garden at Hartlepool Men’s Shed, and have transformed it into a beautiful community garden with a £2,500 grant from County Durham Community Foundation’s Covid-19 Sustainability Fund.

The grant was used to buy plants, equipment and compost to get the project started.

Members of the association and volunteers have since been busy growing vegetables, succulents and roses through the third lockdown.

Chair Wen Cai Bowman said: “We have built up such a lovely project, it has been really useful to make our members healthier and happier both on the mental and physical side.

“We have planted lots of climbing roses and we are looking forward to seeing them blooming and giving out some fragrance in the neighbourhood.

“The members can come to exchange the plants, or just take some cuttings to take home.”

And the garden has also helped members and volunteers to meet safely and share their traditions and culture. Recently, the Association gathered to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with zongzi rice dumplings.

Learn more about the Dragon Boat Festival here

Wen Cai said: “Our members were very happy to have such a lovely opportunity to grow some vegetables and happy to see them grow. They could also meet friends and do something so nice like growing plants and flowers together. A great thanks to you for your support.”