News Item

Gardeners buzzing after bee colony grant award

Gardeners from a Bootle allotment are buzzing after they were given a £700 grant to create a bee colony.

The Bosco Market Garden, set up by local charity the Bosco Society, will place their new insects in a corner of the Merton Road base.

The group was set-up in 2014 for previously homeless people including sufferers of substance misuse to give them ‘therapeutic value’.

A number of clients regularly work alongside other volunteers in the 120ft x 60ft garden which includes a 30ft greenhouse, raised beds for vegetables, floral areas and fruit tress as well as a pergola and barbecue.

They include clients who have experienced drug and alcohol problems, physical and mental health issues, family rejection, prison and social exclusion.

The money has been granted thanks to the Regenerus Ace Fund, south Sefton environmental grant scheme.

Bosco Gardens project manager Alan Matthews said the beehive will be an important new feature: “We’re very grateful to Regenerus for their support which will help us to extend the capabilities of the garden and provide new learning opportunities for our clients.

“The new bee colony will not only pollinate our own flowers, fruits and vegetables but also those in the surrounding neighbourhood, helping to increase the biodiversity of the area.”

Regenerus Ace Fund Co-ordinator, Eve Money, added:”We’re very pleased to be able to support this project which will help to improve the health and well-being of homeless people and those in recovery, and enhance their skills and experience at the same time.”

The Regenerus Ace Fund provides a grant of up to £700 each month to a project that will help to improve life in the organisation’s core south Sefton operating area.

Applications from established community and voluntary organisations are welcome, but the Ace Fund is also open to informal groups of local residents joining forces to work on a one-off project.

For more information about future Ace Fund grant opportunities and an application form visit www.regenerus.org.uk or ring Regenerus on 0151 934 2637.

If you are a keen gardener and could spare a few hours a week to volunteer in the gardens, call 0151 944 1818 or email alan@alanmatthews.org.uk.