A new garden in the centre of Berinsfield has been established to grow community links and food for the table.
The garden takes up part of the land which St Mary and St Berin Church sits on. It is hoped it will be in two parts, a peaceful place where visitors can sit and enjoy the nature around them, and a place where people can tend to crops and gather food to eat.
A Development Fund grant from the diocese will provide planters and a bench to be installed, and support from the Oxford Housing Association has allowed for a path to be created to access the garden.
Gloria Richards is working on the project, she said: “Our Messy Church children got involved and planted bulbs and seeds. We hope the vegetables will grow in the planters so people can come and help themselves to fresh vegetables. We will create a space where wild flowers will grow, and attract wildlife too.”
Eventually, the hope is to install a cupboard where fresh produce can be left for the community to enjoy.
Find out more about how the Development Fund could help your church.