An MP was full of praise for a “gem” of a community garden where plants can be purchased for as little as £1.
Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings and Rye, posted on social media about her recent visit to the Alexandra Park Greenhouse in Hastings.
The greenhouse was a derelict site until 2013, when a group of volunteers and a park ranger began the restoration project.
The garden has a charity plant shop (Image: Helena Dollimore) Their vision was to restore the teak and cast-iron structure and transform it into a community space.
This vision was realised in 2023, and the greenhouse is now a charity plant shop, open to the public twice a week, and used for community horticultural events.
It was originally designed as a prestigious hothouse in the 1930s to supply Hastings with floral displays, but closed in the 1980s and fell into disrepair.
The greenhouse has been recently restored (Image: Helena Dollimore) Ms Dollimore was full of praise for the community garden after her recent visit.
She said: “I loved popping into the greenhouse in Alexandra Park. Lots of plants looked after by volunteers and available to buy from £1.”
The site was cleared by volunteers in 2013, who raised over £25,000 to prevent further deterioration.
In 2018, the Alexandra Park Greenhouse Group became a charity.
“Having uncovered our greenhouse gem, we were not idle”, the group said.
The MP said she ‘loved’ her visit (Image: Helena Dollimore)Read more:
Hastings Borough Council granted a 25-year lease on the greenhouse, allowing the group to continue their horticultural vision and ambition to restore the building for community use.
The group is currently looking for volunteers to help with gardening and maintaining the facility.
For more information, visit: https://our-greenhouse.org/.
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