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Hopes for spring launch as New Milton Community Garden scheme ‘back on track’ after year’s hiatus




A SCHEME to unite green-fingered New Milton residents is “back on track” after over a year’s hiatus, although its founding chair has stepped down.

As reported in the A&T, poor weather and work on a nearby housing development halted the creation of the Community Garden on Fawcett’s Field in November 2023.

It was first dreamed up in 2020 by Julia Stamper, to build on community spirit shown during the Covid pandemic, and backed by the Coastal Medical Partnership to support mental health and wellbeing.

Departed founding chair Julia Stamper (front row, right) with the New Milton Community Garden team as work started in the plot at Fawcett's Field in May 2023
Departed founding chair Julia Stamper (front row, right) with the New Milton Community Garden team as work started in the plot at Fawcett's Field in May 2023

Members of the registered independent charity finally started digging the plot on the green, off Moore Close, in May 2023.

Initial hopes to open in that year’s summer were dashed by numerous setbacks, including torrential rain, before the forced November stop.

As well as continued adverse weather, this was attributed to ongoing property construction on Moore Close, together with associated utility service connections.

But now the Community Garden is “all systems go” and set to welcome the public in the spring, according to new chair Angela Jackson.

The New Milton Men's Shed group has installed a trellis on the Community Garden's gazebo
The New Milton Men's Shed group has installed a trellis on the Community Garden's gazebo

She replaces Julia, who relinquished the post in October 2024 due to health and personal reasons.

“2025 is going to be an exciting year for the garden,” Angela told the A&T.

The breakthrough came after New Forest District Council developers erected a required boundary fence between the housing and garden sites.

This allowed group members to resume maintenance work and plan the next phase.

They are working with the town council to top dress the site’s paths, bringing them up to standard.

Weather delayed the council upgrading a temporary path from the car park to a permanent one.

Angela Jackson is the new chair of New Milton's Community Garden group
Angela Jackson is the new chair of New Milton's Community Garden group

But Angela said: “Although the installation of the path will give easier access to the garden, especially for wheelchair users, we are still able to move forward with our plans regardless.

“We can report that the town council have planted the heritage apple orchard next to the garden which will greatly enhance the garden, the surrounding area, and encourage pollinators.

“The developers have planted a native hedge, crab apple trees and a few oaks at the boundary, and of course we planted whips around our boundary donated by the Woodland Trust in October 2023 which have had a year to bed in.”

A team of 11, including four trustees, led by project manager Linda Wood, meets regularly to discuss evolving plans.

On Monday, the town council’s amenities committee agreed in principle to an on-site shed for storing gardening tools, and an information noticeboard.

A recent drone image showing progress at the Community Garden on Fawcett's Field in New Milton
A recent drone image showing progress at the Community Garden on Fawcett's Field in New Milton

The shed is expected to be a small metal container that could be clad in wood, and the noticeboard would be of the same design as other New Milton ones, including at the recreation ground.

A proud Julia told the A&T: “Since my first idea back in 2020 an immense amount of hard work has gone into making it a reality.

“My passion for the project has not diminished. I am delighted that in my absence the team are continuing all the good work and that the garden will eventually open in 2025.”



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