Rutland Avenue Residents Association Garden
The land behind the odd-numbered terraced houses on Rutland Avenue had been neglected for over 20 years and had become an overgrown eye-sore. The fence was broken down, so that the area was used as a cut-through by potential burglars and others between the cul de sacs of Rutland Avenue and Longton Avenue, and also allowing tipping of rubbish. The last known owner was known to have died, and efforts to trace ownership were unsuccessful.
A number of residents started to clean up the area in early 2003, clearing brambles, weeds and pruning the self-seeded trees. The Rutland Avenue Home Watch group applied for a CAS:H (“Clean and Safe”) Grant, and were awarded a grant of £8,937 in August 2003 to improve security, reduce tipping and create a better environment. The funders acknowledged the communal effort. The garden project was completed early in 2005 and the Garden was formally opened on 18 May 2005 by Councillor Andrew Fender.
Rutland Avenue Residents Association (RARA) was set up on 15 November 2004, as a formally constituted group to claim, maintain and develop the land as a community garden for the benefit of its members. RARA also has wider aims and objectives, dealing with other issues affecting the street.
The Garden is solely run by and for its members, and is not a public garden. It receives no public funding, apart from occasional one-off grants. Members respect the space and the neighbours in the adjoining properties in Rutland Avenue and Longton Avenue. The Garden is a quiet and tranquil environment to relax and work in. Security and the encouragement of wild-life are also priorities.
Garden Membership is open only to residents of Rutland Avenue who are members of RARA. Residents of the adjoining streets may become associate members. All members must agree to the Objectives and Rules, and pay an annual fee per household plus a refundable deposit for a key. All members have a responsibility to help financially and physically with the Garden upkeep.
Garden members continue to maintain and develop the garden, and enjoy social events such as the annual summer barbecue. RARA has been awarded in the RHS ‘It's Your Neighbourhood’ Competition in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, RARA won a Level 3 Developing (Silver) award, and in 2012, achieved the next level of award – Level 4 Thriving, which is equivalent to a Silver Gilt award.
Rutland Avenue Residents Association Garden took part in the first Didsbury Food Trail in September 2012.
A number of residents started to clean up the area in early 2003, clearing brambles, weeds and pruning the self-seeded trees. The Rutland Avenue Home Watch group applied for a CAS:H (“Clean and Safe”) Grant, and were awarded a grant of £8,937 in August 2003 to improve security, reduce tipping and create a better environment. The funders acknowledged the communal effort. The garden project was completed early in 2005 and the Garden was formally opened on 18 May 2005 by Councillor Andrew Fender.
Rutland Avenue Residents Association (RARA) was set up on 15 November 2004, as a formally constituted group to claim, maintain and develop the land as a community garden for the benefit of its members. RARA also has wider aims and objectives, dealing with other issues affecting the street.
The Garden is solely run by and for its members, and is not a public garden. It receives no public funding, apart from occasional one-off grants. Members respect the space and the neighbours in the adjoining properties in Rutland Avenue and Longton Avenue. The Garden is a quiet and tranquil environment to relax and work in. Security and the encouragement of wild-life are also priorities.
Garden Membership is open only to residents of Rutland Avenue who are members of RARA. Residents of the adjoining streets may become associate members. All members must agree to the Objectives and Rules, and pay an annual fee per household plus a refundable deposit for a key. All members have a responsibility to help financially and physically with the Garden upkeep.
Garden members continue to maintain and develop the garden, and enjoy social events such as the annual summer barbecue. RARA has been awarded in the RHS ‘It's Your Neighbourhood’ Competition in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, RARA won a Level 3 Developing (Silver) award, and in 2012, achieved the next level of award – Level 4 Thriving, which is equivalent to a Silver Gilt award.
Rutland Avenue Residents Association Garden took part in the first Didsbury Food Trail in September 2012.