Eye-catching makover at Ashton Park thanks to selfless group of Prince's Trust volunteers

A group of 12 volunteers from the Prince’s Trust Fire and Rescue Service in Deepdale spent the last two weeks in Ashton Park’s Walled Garden cutting back hedges, building new compost bins and generally improving the site.

Sally Myerscough from the Prince’s Trust said: “The whole project was aimed to improve the teamwork skills of those taking part.

"We had some donations from B&Q which was really nice.”

On Friday the group handed the project over to charity Let’s Grow Preston, with each individual who had taken part giving a short speech on how they had developed during the project.

To mark the occasion the Preston’s Deputy Mayor, Coun David Borrow, officially cut the ribbon to open the corner of the garden.

Coun Borrow said: “The work the young people from the Prince’s Trust have carried out is fantastic, in more ways than one.

“Not only have they gained team building and gardening skills, but it’s boosted their confidence too.”

He added: “Let’s Grow Preston do a great job for the community and the council is honoured to support them in their work.”

The event was organised by Annie Wynn, Project Development Manager at Let’s Grow Preston.

The group will receive certificates in teamwork, employability and community skills at Preston College on August 24.

Let's Grow Preston

The garden has been handed over to Let’s Grow Preston, an environmental charity that works to create community gardens and organise food growing projects.

A spokesman from the group said: “We are based at a fantastic community hub within Ashton Walled Garden on Ashton Park.

“At this site we have a large community garden which is used for training, volunteering and growing stocks of plants to help new and upcoming groups and activities get going.”

Sally Myerscough from The Prince’s Trust said: “I’d like to give a big thank you to Annie [Wynn] from Let’s Grow Preston for organising this.”