A barren plot of land next to Milford Haven Youth Centre has been transformed into a thriving allotment, thanks to work carried out by the centre's young people.
In just a few months, they have erected a perimeter fence, polytunnel, eight raised beds, a tool shed, an all-weather timber social area - and produced a bountiful range of organic fruit and vegetables!
They have also ensured a ground reinforcement system has been put in, that the polytunnel doors are extra-wide and that all raised beds are specific heights, enabling wheelchair users to access all parts of the garden.
The venture has received financial support from South Hook LNG and been co-ordinated by Milford Haven Community Youth Worker Nicholas Hudd.
It has also been supported by PCSOs Adam Goy and Paul Mayhew, and local gardeners who have given the youngsters advice on how to grow fruit and vegetables successfully.
All the produce is organic and even the lighting used in the garden is solar powered, in keeping with the Youth Centre's aim to make the venture as 'green' as possible.
Nick Hudd said the produce has been used in the Youth Centre's cooking club, sold locally, or taken home by the young people to share with their family and friends.
"The project encourages healthy, affordable living by giving young people an opportunity to 'grow, cook and eat' their own produce," he said.
"It offers them alternative accredited learning opportunities and also acts as a social enterprise, potentially improving the employment prospects for those involved in developing the business aspects."
He said there were also clear 'green' benefits from produce being sold locally and that the Centre hoped to demonstrate further practical ways of reducing their carbon footprint.
Councillor Huw George, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, praised the young people at the Youth Centre for their work on the allotment. "Their hard work has resulted in an impressive amount of produce in a relatively short space of time," he said. "It's a great addition to the youth centre and I'm sure it will yield benefits in many ways in years to come."
Caption
Pictured at the allotment with young people from Milford Haven Youth Centre are (left to right) PCSOs Adam Goy and Paul Mayhew, Cllr Huw George and Nick Hudd
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