Selco boost for Secret Garden in Fallowfield

A Manchester community garden which welcomes around 250 green-fingered local residents a month has received the support of Selco.

The Fallowfield Secret Garden, based on Wilbraham Road, has been donated materials by our Ardwick branch to help create the foundations for the building of a second shed on the 1.5 acre site.

The garden was founded in 2011 and plays host to a number of different groups from the local community each month.

As well as growing vegetables, the garden attracts wildlife and hosts a large children’s play area.

Mark Roberts, joint founder of the Secret Garden with Jordan Campbell, said: “We are extremely grateful for Selco’s support and having another shed will make a real difference to the opportunities we are able to offer the local community.

“The land originally surrounded social housing and fell into disuse but we have come a long way since then, creating a thriving green space which is enjoyed every month by hundreds of local residents.

“We welcome all sorts of different groups – from a forest school for under-fives, to special sessions for children who are home educated to groups for local mums and events for pensioners.

“We like to think we have something for everyone, whether they want to be gardening, learning new skills, meeting other local residents or just being outside and all the benefits that brings.

“We have also got ambitious plans for the future, including trying to form a partnership with the NHS and mental health groups.”

The Secret Garden contributes to local, organic food production, hosts classes for people to learn practical skills including gardening and carpentry and features a large pond.

Matt Keith, branch manager of Selco on Hyde Road, said: “We are delighted to support the Fallowfield Secret Garden project.

“It does an outstanding job for the local community, not only encouraging local residents to come together and enjoy the outdoor space but also teaching people new skills.

“We are committed to supporting the local communities in which we operate and the Secret Garden is the perfect project for us to support.”