AN exciting project to create an innovative new community garden area in Tavistock has taken a step forward this week, with the formation of a steering group to take the project further. The first meeting for the proposed sustainable community and sensory garden was held at Kingdon House last Wednesday, when the group was established. Tavistock Town Council, Westden, Groundwork, Tavistock Task Force, women from Tavistock Ladies Gardening Club and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers are all working as a team to decide where the garden could be placed and how it will be maintained. One idea has been to turn the old bowls pitch in the Meadows, land owned by Tavistock Town Council, into the special demonstration garden. Tavistock mayor Caroline Keane has initiated the project — she said it would be based on ecologically sustainable methods of gardening and act as a showcase to interested residents and visitors to the town. Cllr Keane said: 'Sustainable gardening is quite easy, it doesn't need to be expensive at all, it's about going back to the old days of gardening in England as it used to be. 'I feel if we set it up it would be good for people to see other ways of doing things. 'People were very enthusiastic at the meeting and were saying lots of really exciting and wonderful ideas. 'I am thrilled to bits that Tavistock Town Council are able to offer land to help. 'In the centre of the garden there will hopefully be a meditation area for quiet reflection which is supported by St Eustachius Church. 'But it all depends on the land we choose to say what type of garden it will be.' The steering group hopes to be able to grow vegetables and sell compost from the garden as a way of making profit in order to put money back into the garden fund. Geri Laithwaite, community activator for the environmental charity Westden, said: 'The worst thing we can do is find a bit of land and dig it up. We need to analyse the ground, monitor it and understand the quality of the land. 'We will first work out the condition of the land and what happens when it's hit with all sorts of weather. 'This garden is for everyone, and the whole community will benefit.' Volunteers with a passion for gardening and their community are being sought to get involved with the project. The next meeting of the steering group will be on Wednesday, February 14 at 10am in the Town Council offices. The group will take members for a walk around Tavistock, looking at two or three possible sights for a sensory garden.
