Wales News & Events

Welsh community garden scoops top prize

The Green Valley Centre in Abercynon, Wales, has scooped top prize in a UK-wide competition for its work in transforming a derelict site into a green space to help engage local young people. The FCFCG member group’s efforts were rewarded with a win in the best environment category at the National Lottery Awards in London recently.The garden, which was granted more than £260,000 of lottery money, won thanks to votes casted by members of the public.

The two-acre garden is used to produce food boxes for some of the most vulnerable people locally, with fresh, affordable food going to people on low incomes, helping to teach about healthy eating.  The garden offers practical training and qualifications for young people, building their skills, fitness and confidence, and acts as a training facility for a range of people. The Green Valley site was acquired by Bryncynon Strategy, a community development charity, durng 2008 and has since been transformed from what had been for a number of decades a local dumping ground, into a thriving community garden. The project has benefited from the financial support of the Big Lottery Fund and other funding agencies, which enabled Bryncynon Strategy to employ staff and provide environmental apprentices and training schemes for young people.

Tyfu Pobl launch event

The new Tyfu Pobl programme in Wales, was officially launched at an event on September 23-24, at Greenmeadow Community Farm in Cwmbran. The event included a tour of the farm and treasure hunt, opportunitites for networking and taking part in workshops, as well as a hog roast and local cider tasting. The programme is funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is itself funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Union.

Community Food Action Plan
The main aim of the project is to promote, support and encourage community grown food in Wales. FCFCG was on the Welsh Assembly Task Group which developed the Action Plan. To find out more and get a copy of the action plan, visit the Action Plan page of the Welsh Government website.

Networking Events
FCFCG holds regular regional networking and training events for all those involved or interested in community growing. They are an opportunity for existing and emerging projects to come together and share their knowledge and experiences and identify future opportunities for the movement in Wales. For details contact Katie Jones (Wales Development Manager) Federation of City Farms & Gardens on 02920 225942 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it