Welcome to the 2004 update for the Safe Haven (Community Association) Garden website - a square of urban greenness in inner city Blackburn, Lancashire.
The site is designed to reflect the work of the Association and is here to promote and share good practice; show developments and to be an inspiration for others community led environmental projects that are located in urban and inner city areas.
During the latter half of 2003 and into 2004, Safe Haven has made great strides in getting recognised as a national Green Pennant Award winner in the annual environmental awards run by the Civic Trust in Liverpool.
The award has put Safe Haven on the 'green map' and we intend to celebrate through sharing our experiences with others and being as supportive as we can be.
If you are involved in an urban green project, or are thinking about starting one then please feel free to email us - we'll be happy to hear from you!
A Safe Haven history -
The land that is now the garden, was acquired in 1999 through help from Blackburn and Darwen Councils. In that same year, local people got together and formed the Safe Haven Community Association.
From a single pathway and a solitary street lamp, the garden, as it is today, shows how much things have developed over time - all thanks to local people for their ideas and hard work; funders and sponsors for the grants and donations.
The progress over the years might best be described using two photographs from 1999 (left) to 2004 (right):
Safe Haven aims to -
* bring a little of the countryside into an inner city community;
* offer an environmental learning resource for all local people;
* provide & maintain a safe & enjoyable community space for all.Recent developments & projects -
Over the past few years, the Association has developed a number of features within the garden including a herb patch; butterfly patch; bird boxes and recent grant aid from Blackburn and Darwen Council has bought new boundary privet hedging.
2004 means -
Further progress in terms of developing access, safety and features in the garden through partnership working with some of our local community partners in the area.We are planning to improve information about the garden and outline more clearly, how the garden has become a part of the local community. Some landscape changes are also planned later in the year.
Our Green Pennant Award, presented to us in November 2003, has charged our commitment and enthusiasm more to continue building on our past successes and goals, while also helping and advising others who are keen to get their gardens on the 'map'!
What Safe Haven Garden means to us -
Our approach to developing the garden has always been about a community working for the community - this has been the case since 1999 and we find it a successful and engaging way of getting things done while the facility remains a valued and supported asset of the local community.
During 2004 we will be continuing this theme and aim to connect as widely as possible with other environmental networks and groups as possible to ensure that keep pace with the way green spaces are developing and becoming valued parts of communities.
It's not all about gardens! A local sponsor provided a skip and we cleared alleyways of unwanted chairs and prams.
Our community supporters include -
B&Q
Confederation of City Farms and Community Gardens
CSV, Community Service Volunteers
Blackburn and Darwen Council
Blackburn Partnership
Blackburn Council of Voluntary Services
Shell - Better Britain
Rita Adams (plants!)
Whitbreads
Latest Information
Can you help?
We have a wish list for garden items from spare bags of compost through to seed trays and small plant pots. Donations of plants are also welcomed.New email address
safehavengardenca@yahoo.co.uk
effective from December 2004!Thank you!
Communicate!
To find out more about the Safe Haven Community Association garden, please contact Community Representative, Mark Dixon on 0778 737 7999 or email us at safehavengardenca@yahoo.co.uk
Dedication -
to the memory of the late Arthur Ingham
