Access to Community Education

The ACE Garden rose from the rubble in 1999.  The history of the garden started with Chris Wardley, our chairman, listening to a programme on Radio Devon about the Prince’s Trust.  Immediately the programme ended she rang the Trust and arranged for them to visit ACE and view the proposed site of our garden, kindly donated by the College.  This abandoned patch of land looked very sad to all but rubble gardeners keen on unruly brambles and weeds.  The Trust liked the challenge and soon an energetic group of young people set about designing and sourcing the materials.  In just two weeks, they constructed an access ramp and supporting walls, topped with a level surface containing raised beds made of marine plywood and wooden benches.  The results of their hard work looked very impressive but the gravel surface and steep ramp were not suitable for our disabilities and thus the garden couldn’t receive the care it deserved

However, in 2001, the ACE Gardening Class was formed with Brian Hoggard, a retired professional gardener, employed as the part time tutor.  (Last year Brian retired but we missed him so much we charmed him back.)  At first the gardening lessons were all classroom based but attention soon concentrated on the improvements necessary to enable the class to use the garden.  With further funding from the Learning Skills Council and local businesses the garden was revamped with a more gentle entrance ramp, brick built raised beds some with trellis and a tarmac surround to be seen at the entrance to the Adult and Community Learning Centre.  It was planted in 2003 with bulbs, herbs, flowering shrubs, climbing roses, clematis, wisteria and a pear tree.  Later a brick BBQ area with seating was added along with a wooden chalet, potting shed and pergola.  We celebrated the official opening of the garden in July 2004 when the Mayor of Torbay, Jenny Faulkner, cut the yellow ribbon.  It was followed by a lovely BBQ lunch to the sound of the College steel band.  Since then we have proudly won both The Bay and Brixham in Bloom competitions

Also in 2004, The College asked ACE to refashion the Memorial Garden outside the College main entrance as the existing garden was difficult to maintain.  Our design of six circular raised beds on a flat paved surface was accepted and built by the College.  In 2005 ACE planted out the beds and continues to maintain the garden.  Later that year the Chairman of the College Governors, Mr Mike Morley and the Principal, Mr Chris Turner officially opened the new garden for the benefit of all College users. 

Now in 2007, we are expanding the ACE garden with further raised beds and trellis and have applied to B&Q’s Better Neighbour Grant Scheme to fund the planting.  The chalet and potting shed has been moved into this new section leaving the BBQ area and pergola as a beautiful open space.

This year our class is venturing into growing vegetables and more herbs to promote healthy living in addition to new flowering plants and fruit trees.  The garden continues to be a place of great excitement that we wish to share with other ACE classes and our community.