Tristar Homes, which is part of Thirteen Group, has marked the official opening of a new community garden in Port Clarence with a special festive celebration that included the unveiling of its Christmas tree lights.
The Beech Terrace Community Garden has been developed in partnership with Groundwork North East and Cumbria. The site is part of a £300,000 package for the area which comes from Thirteen Groups’ environmental investment programme to improve the appearance of local neighbourhoods.
The event was well attended by residents and their families, who got into the festive spirit and enjoyed the children’s play area, which has been incorporated into the garden.
Also in attendance was a local choir, who sang Christmas carols, and High Clarence Primary School’s Head Teacher, Jean Orridge who had the honour of switching on the Christmas lights.
After the switch-on, residents took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at a local war memorial, which was followed by the annual Christmasparty organised by Thirteen and the Clarences Residents Action Group for the local community.
Keith Moulder, External Investment Contracts Manager at Thirteen Group, said: “The new garden will help Tristar tenants and other members of the local community to socialise in pleasant surroundings throughout the year.
“We’ve been working with the community on this development since late 2014 and it’s great to see the final result. I hope that the site continues to bloom and that people in the area will be able to enjoy the garden for many years to come.”
Michele McCallam, Landscape Coordinator for Groundwork North East and Cumbria, said: “The new village green for the Clarences has been designed to benefit all the community. The living Christmas tree forms a focal point to be enjoyed for years to come and the young people have been involved in designing the sculptured benches.”
