The New Community Garden at the Flash"

Flash, Buckley

June 2003

An area which had become an eyesore was transformed into a community garden with plants, seats and a mural with the help of local youngsters. Sadly, it was vandalised as soon as it was finished and the seats had to be replaced. A lot of effort and planning had gone into creating an attractive place for local people to enjoy.

During the Easter weekend 2005, youth worker, Steve Robertson, organised a group of youngsters from the Bistre Youth Forum in weeding the flower beds and installing a new, more sturdy bench to replace the previous four which had been vandalised. A £500 grant from Crimebeat paid for the work.

Next to the garden stood a WWII air-raid shelter which had been used by the church as a store room. In August 2005, it was decided to demolish it as several break-ins and its subsequent use as a shelter for drug use and under-age drinking had rendered it a liability. The Flintshire County Council had demolished it and turfed the site in August 2005.

A Lottery grant of £57,000 was awarded in November 2006 after a contest on ITV Wales. The money was to go towards the developing the area for public access and enjoyment: seats, a garden, space for dog walking, and a shelter where youngsters can meet. Partners included Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch and was supported by North Wales Police.

In February 2008, the newly refurbished recreational area was reported as being vandalised as youths were using it as a drinking area and behaving anti-socially with the levels of noise and litter increasing significantly.

In May 2008, it was reported that the range of facilities installed with the aid of the Lottery grant has helped to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Author: Anon

The New Community Garden at the Flash"

Flash, Buckley

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