Re-Greening the Monastery: A Community Gardening Project Rooted in Heritage
In the shadow of The Monastery’s soaring stone arches and sacred silence, something vibrant is stirring in the soil.
Over the past few months, our Green Team, Men’s Shed, and volunteer gardeners have been quietly (and sometimes not so quietly!) transforming our outdoor spaces into lush, productive, and joy-filled gardens. What began as a simple community gardening project has blossomed into an award-winning, heritage-infused re-greening movement, rooted in care, connection, and creativity.
A Bumper Week in Bloom
We were thrilled to take part in the 74th Annual Horticultural Show at Debdale Nature Park recently — and came home with a whole wheelbarrow of awards! Highlights included:
- Longest cucumber – 1st place
- French beans, begonia, and herb planter – 1st place
- Potatoes, chillis, cucumbers – 2nd place
- Vegetable collection – Highly commended
- Geraniums, humorous veg, and flowering planter – 2nd & 3rd places
Our Men’s Shed team also earned a proud 2nd place for their wine bottle bird feeder, proving that green fingers and ingenuity go hand in hand.
But the real magic? It’s in the people.
Digging In, Together
While awards are lovely, it’s the daily dedication and laughter in the garden that truly keeps things blooming.
From Chris levelling the labyrinth base with expert digger finesse, to Gary and Les shifting tons of crushed concrete by wheelbarrow, to new volunteers Claire and Sarah weeding, deadheading, and seed-saving with steady hands and open hearts – it’s been a full and fruitful few weeks.
Even our youngest helpers, Poppie and Roux, have been getting stuck in with joy and muddy knees. Every corner of the garden now hums with life, thanks to the care and contribution of people from all walks of life.
Garden Glory at Garstang
The growing momentum continued at the Garstang Show, where our lovingly grown produce scooped even more prizes:
- Lettuce – 2nd place
- Runner beans – 2nd place
- Herb collection – 2nd place
And a special round of applause goes to 8-year-old Poppie Kennedy, who took 3rd place for her stunning floral arrangement crafted from Monastery blooms. A budding talent (with garden guru mum Vicki cheering her on), Poppie represents the true spirit of this project: beauty, joy, and a sense of rooted belonging.
A Space to Grow in the Heart of Manchester
We also had the recent honour of welcoming Royal Horticultural Society judge, David Elphinstone, alongside representatives from Manchester City Council, for an official assessment of our community gardening project known as “Re-Greening the Monastery.”
Like proud parents on sports day, we hovered nervously near the planters(!) but the feedback was kind and encouraging. No matter the verdict, we already know what this project has achieved.
In just a few short months, our volunteers have transformed a bare patch of car park in Gorton, Manchester into a thriving, edible, colourful sanctuary. And there’s more to come: thanks to new funding, we’re launching a Hot Composting Project in partnership with St Francis Primary School to help reduce food waste and power even greener growth.
Why Community Gardening Matters
Community gardening projects like ours are more than green spaces. They offer hands-on learning, connection with nature, improved wellbeing, and a sense of shared purpose. For heritage sites like The Monastery, these gardens also help reconnect people to the land, the stories, and the history that surrounds them.
So whether you’re searching for a peaceful place to volunteer in Manchester, interested in sustainable gardening, or simply looking to explore a living heritage site, The Monastery welcomes you.
Come Grow With Us
Our gardens are living proof that heritage and community are two sides of the same leaf, and when nurtured together, they bloom.
If you’re local and curious, we’d love for you to come and see it for yourself. Whether you want to volunteer, learn, or simply wander the cloisters and feel the peace of a garden made with love, the gate is open.
No experience needed. Just willing hands and an open heart.
Interested in joining the Green Team, Men’s Shed, or volunteering with us?
Drop our amazing garden guru and community coordinator, Vicki, a line at vicki.kennedy@themonastery.co.uk or call 0161 223 3211.
We promise: the kettle’s always on 😉
Directions to the Monastery here.