Keen volunteers have been working hard through the summer months to breathe new life into a long neglected and abandoned patch of land adjacent to Warden Park School in Cuckfield. The aim: to create a peaceful sanctuary for flora, fauna and humans alike.

Plans include a community garden growing fruit and vegetables all year round, a wildlife pond, orchard and wildflower garden, a classroom for outdoor learning and space for a Forest School to help engage young people with their natural surroundings.

Work will continue into the winter months including clearing away thickets of brambles that have been allowed to run rampant, building and lining the pond, planting over 550 trees (including 25 small oaks, 12 beeches and limes, and 24 cherry, apple and pear trees), and instigating a management program to encourage a wide variety of beneficial plants and flowers to grow. This will encourage insects, bees, butterflies and birds to the land, to create a harmonious, self-sustaining ecosystem that local people can enjoy.

Volunteers of the Mid Sussex Community Garden have an ambitious aim and are hoping to welcome their first visitors in the spring-time. Their first phase of crowdfunding for the new trees went live in October. To find out more about how you can help please visit https://bit.ly/369xmED or email mscommunitygarden@yahoo.com for more information on how to get involved.