Couple 'devastated' as community garden could end

A couple say it is with "great sadness" they will have to step away from a garden set up to help their local community.

Cheryl and Alan Reynolds, from Lyme Regis in Dorset, say they are "devastated" health issues mean they can no longer continue.

The community garden in Langmoor Gardens was established in 2020 with the aim of sharing food, engaging with the community and encouraging children to be involved in growing and understanding nature.

The couple, along with the Lyme Regis Town Council, are urging volunteers to come forward and help maintain the gardens otherwise it will be "reluctantly abandoned".

When the garden was established volunteers initially struggled to cultivate it.

But when the Reynolds joined in 2022, along with three volunteers, "the gardens' fortunes have turned around," the council says.

Mrs Reynolds says: "Alan and I have been running the community garden for several years - it has been a wonderful experience.

"We have been able to supply vegetables to the food bank, the elderly residents at our Talking Cafe and others who have requested help.

"We are devastated, the garden is the loveliest, most peaceful place to be and overlooks our beautiful and tranquil harbour and beach."

"There isn't a better place to be," she adds.

She says: "Talking to so many passersby, both local and visitors, and the pleasure of helping people with lovely fresh vegetables has been a joy.

"We are so sorry, but we are happy to grow seeds and sort plants as long as some new volunteers can do the digging, weeding and planting. If there were enough volunteers who were prepared to give a couple of regular hours each week, we could keep this going."

The town council says: "Cheryl and Alan Reynolds have put their heart and soul into the garden over the past three years and it is now thriving."

It says the town council's external works' team will continue to manage the garden until new volunteers are found.

However, it adds that if no one comes forward the community garden will "reluctantly be abandoned".