A new community garden – created under our Earth Cycle brand – has officially opened at Aldingbourne Country Centre in West Sussex.
The garden has transformed a previously empty plot into a welcoming, accessible space where people can learn, grow food, connect with nature and enjoy time outdoors. It was officially opened by our owner John Pitts alongside members of Aldingbourne Trust.
The project reflects our commitment to supporting community initiatives that help build confidence, develop skills and create greener spaces.
Designed by Lynne Lambourne, sustainable gardener and RHS judge, the garden features seasonal planting, fruit and vegetable plots, wildflower areas, raised beds, accessible paths and seating. There is also space for an outdoor classroom, while a dedicated allotment will enable the Aldingbourne Trust team to develop gardening skills and grow fresh produce.
The finished garden is the result of a truly collaborative effort. Aldingbourne Trust’s workshop team made the raised beds, its horticulture team nurtured vegetables, herbs and salad from seed, and specialist contractors delivered the landscaping. Our Earth Cycle team supplied sustainable, peat-free soils and composts to help create the growing areas and bring the design together.
Given the unprecedented summer heatwaves this year, we had to contend with exceptionally hot, dry weather, which made establishing the early planting particularly challenging. Despite this, the garden is thriving and all those who joined us at the launch event were impressed by the abundance of healthy plants, flowers and vegetables filling the garden.
We are very proud of this project, having worked extremely closely with the team at Aldingbourne Trust to bring this space to life. When we first began groundworks in May, we couldn’t have imagined how incredible the garden would look in just a few short months. It’s fantastic to see this empty plot transformed into a community space which is now growing food and friendships.”
The Community Garden is now open to everyone visiting Aldingbourne Country Centre. We hope that it will provide lasting opportunities for the people supported by Aldingbourne Trust, along with school groups and the Centre’s many visitors. We look forward to watching it flourish in the months and years ahead.
