The not-so-secret garden party

Everything in the garden will be rosy this Sunday when a Liverpool community group showcases its new star attraction.

The Friends of Walton Hall Park will be rolling out the ‘green’ carpet on Sunday 22 April by inviting everyone to an extra special Garden Party.

Supported by Liverpool City Council, the Friends have been working for the past four years to improve the park by growing plants and flowers. Now all their hard work is about to bear fruit with the opening of the Walton Community Garden.

Thanks to a Big Lottery Grant of £10,000 the group has created the garden as a place for people to come together, enjoy, learn and grow.

Chrisie Byrne from the Friends group said: “The garden is a multi-purpose space to grow plants and fresh, organic fruit and vegetables. It’s a brand new asset to the park and we want everyone to come and see how beautiful it is.”

Features of the new community garden include a library, a space for arts and crafts and a special wildlife haven. There’s also a seating area where visitors can take time to breathe it all in.

“The garden will be used by local schools, community groups and organisations and, of course, park visitors,” said Chrisie. “It’s going to become a real community hub.”

She added: “In the near future we will be running some training sessions in bee-keeping, how to grow plants and hanging basket planting.”

Guests of honour at the community garden open day will by Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Malcolm Kennedy and Walton MP Dan Carden.

The Walton Community Garden Open Day is a free event and everyone is invited. It starts at noon on Sunday 22 April and entrance is via Blackthorn Road.

For more information about the Friends of Walton Hall Park, visit the website here.