Tuffley Avenue Rose Garden has received a financial boost from a social landlord serving Gloucester.
GreenSquareAccord (GSA), which owns and manages more than 700 homes in the city, has awarded a £545 grant to Friends of Tuffley Avenue Rose Garden.
The small group of volunteers meets every three weeks to maintain and improve the large community rose garden on Tuffley Avenue. The group plants and maintains flowerbeds, grows vegetables, tackles weeds and works to keep the garden a beautiful space for everyone to enjoy.
GSA’s donation, made through its Community Impact Fund, will pay for year-round flowers, bark chips and edging for the flowerbeds.
Thomas Ashworth, Treasurer at Friends of Tuffley Avenue Rose Garden, said: “We are truly grateful to GSA for the funds, which will go a long way to making the Rose Garden a public amenity highlight in the Linden area of Gloucester. Children can learn to ride bikes and scooters, while older people and dog walkers can get their exercise in an improved and beautiful garden.”
The Friends formed after the rose garden became neglected and overgrown during the pandemic, attracting anti-social behaviour.
Thanks to their hard work, the garden is now thriving and enjoyed by local residents of all ages. The Friends recently held a family fun day and community picnic to raise funds for more roses to fill the garden, which was a great success.
The garden is located just under two miles from Gloucester city centre, near the junction of Tuffley Avenue and Stroud Road.
Eliza Garrett, Locality Manager at GSA, said: “The rose garden has become a much-loved local hub, and the Friends group provides a brilliant opportunity for socialising, exercising and giving back to the local community.”
GSA’s Community Impact Fund is made possible thanks to generous social value donations from some of its suppliers. Up to £2,000 per project is available to charities, community groups and organisations that benefit GSA customers and the communities they live in.
Gloucestershire County Councillor Vernon Gray, who represents the Tuffley and Moreland division, heard about the Community Impact Fund through GSA’s partner newsletter. Cllr Gray subsequently recommended that Friends of Tuffley Avenue Rose Garden apply to the fund.
Cllr Gray said: “As the local County Councillor, and on behalf of local residents, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Thomas and the Friends of Tuffley Avenue Rose Garden.
“We are really proud of what they have done here and what they continue to do, maintaining and improving this lovely, quite sizeable space with local historical significance, to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
“And, of course, a special thank you to GSA for their generous donation to this very worthy cause.”