Dover residents create a sanctuary for gardening week

Residents in Dover donned their wellies and gardening gloves to transform an unused communal area into a blooming green space, just in time for National Gardening Week.

Sanctuary Housing joined forces with national regeneration charity Groundwork South to give residents of Royal Victoria Place the opportunity of designing and creating their own shared garden.

National Gardening Week, launched by the Royal Horticultural Society, takes place from the 14 to 20 April and is the country's biggest celebration of gardening. This year, the theme is communities and green spaces and the benefits to neighbourhoods of these areas.

Over 100 people are able to enjoy the new garden and can use the space to learn, play, explore, socialise or relax. A mural, painted by a local artist together with local children and families, will brighten up the winter months, featuring a portrait of Dover Castle.

Project officer for Groundwork South, Jo Ursell, said: "It was a pleasure to work on this project. The residents who were involved had great ideas for this small space and I hope that they are happy with the end result.

"Residents are keen to organise plant sales to provide further equipment and plants to ensure the future of the garden; I hope that this becomes a reality and that Royal Victoria Place enjoys its little haven."

Meghan Zinkewich-Peotti, Sanctuary Housing's partnerships manager, added: "We have had good feedback from residents and the area has been transformed.

"It used to be an area that was messy and untidy. Now the bins have been hidden and the garden is kept clean and tidy, a safe place for children to visit."