JOY AS SCRUB IS TURNED INTO A GREEN OASIS
PEOPLE power has helped transform a scrub-filled wasteland into a cultivated garden.
Disabled folk living in The Gages on Hailsham's Town Farm Estate were delighted when the Hailsham Trust took the initiative to beautify a green space in front of their bungalows.
Gardeners arrived to landscape the ground, plant semi-mature trees, shrubs and flowering plants.
Then they packed up their tools and left.
Residents watched in sadness as the ground gradually became overgrown and weeds choked the young saplings.
Maggie Woods from number six decided not to let the grass grow under her feet.
She rang the Express and Wealden District Council saying people would have cared for the garden themselves but most were disabled and hadn't the strength to lift a spade.
Maggie said: 'We were delighted when the ground was landscaped.
'But no-one thought to employ anyone to look after it.
'When we thought of all that money they shelled out we were horrified.
Hailsham Trust chief executive Carolyn Lambert said the capital to pay for the garden came from a single regeneration budget but there was no remaining money for maintenance.
After being alerted by the Express and residents a Wealden spokesman apologised saying the council was on the case.
He said: 'We have talked to the Hailsham Trust and are currently looking at what can be done to keep it as a garden area, properly tended.'
Maggie rang the Express on Monday morning to say: 'Guess what – I'm looking out of my window and there are men digging and clearing the ground.
'We can't tell you how pleased we are. Let's hope it can be kept looking as nice.'
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Weather for Lewes
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
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