BVCA Community Gardens

BVCA surveyed all residents in Dec 2009 and an overwhelming 84% of respondents stated that they wanted to see a community garden on the village. As such the BVCA have negotiated several sites with Barratt and arranged for equipment and plants for the community gardens to be donated by Envirocare and more importantly, maintained by Envirocare & RMG to make them a sustainable asset for the village. Previous Chair of the BVCA, Brian Hann has done some great preparatory work leading up to this point and the BVCA are now in a position to finalise the details with Envirocare and individual developers with the support of RMG, to make this a reality. 

The Green Man

Plans are in motion to make sure the Green Man statue at the entrance to Buckshaw Village is blooming in Spring 2012. The BVCA have joined forces with Buckshaw’s ground maintenance firm, Envirocare to bring the green man to life!  A BVCA dig was held Saturday 29th November 2011 where the 20 Committee members of the BVCA and their families, supported by the team at Envirocare and Berry, carried out the first set of works at the Green Man statue.

In the past, the climbing plants at this location have not survived and the Green Man has never been covered in bloom as the artist originally designed. In order to prepare the site so that plants have a better chance of flourishing, a drainage channel has been created, the area for planting at the feet of the Green man has been dug out and soil improvers donated by Envirocare added as well as the first batch of climbers and spring flowering bulbs. Following this initial dig to prepare the site, more plants donated by Envirocare will be planted in Spring 2012. It is likely that the plants will be both floral and evergreen, to ensure a variety of interest throughout the seasons. These plants will be hardy varieties that can survive the exposed location of the green man and the growth will be monitored by Envirocare and the BVCA.

Other Community Gardens around the Village

The BVCA have three other sites where we intend to site community gardens:

• The circular 'park' that is behind the community centre
• Two planted areas at the Community Centre near the main entrance from the carpark
• Potentially, up to 20 planted boxes across the village particularly near the playparks and on the green corridor

Working in consultation with South Ribble BC, Chorley BC, LCC Cllr. Mike France, The Wildlife Trust & Envirocare, the community garden areas will be equipped with some/all of the following:

• Specific plants that attract bugs, birds, butterflies
• Bird, Bat and mini-beast boxes
• Sensory plants (i.e. plants that have an unusual look, smell, feel)
• A range of fruit trees/plants, including an Orchard at the playpark site
• A range of herbs and other edible plants
• A space for residents to grow their own fruit/veg (in the planted boxes across the village)
• BVCA Memorial Benches

Any thoughts or input please feel free to contact us.