If you've visited Gloucester Services on the M5 you may have relaxed by the tranquillity of the ponds or enjoyed a countryside stroll around the site to stretch your legs, but you might not know that just up the path from the dog walk on the Northbound Services are three acres of land managed by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust (with the help of GL Communities) for the benefit of local communities, colleagues, customers, and of course, wildlife.
The view of Gloucester Services Northbound from the Growing Communities green space
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The Growing Communities green space at Gloucester Services is home to lots of wildlife, as well as this wicker reindeer made by a local community group
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Mark Gale, CEO of GGT said: "The Growing Communities space was designed as part of the Gloucester Services project from the very beginning. The space was designed for community use and we wanted to grow native Gloucestershire fruit trees such as Perry Pear, Blaisdon Plum and Ashmead Kernels apple trees. This was really important to us given the decline in orchard numbers locally and nationally."
The three acre space is on a west facing slope with a heavy clay soil but is also home to berry and herb growing activities, and in 2019 became home to a giant wooden bee sculpture made by our community partner Fair Shares - who also created some rustic wooden seating for the space - to celebrate one of nature's most important contributors, many of whom also reside in beehives a bit further away on the Northbound site.
The three acre space is on a west facing slope with a heavy clay soil but is also home to berry and herb growing activities, and in 2019 became home to a giant wooden bee sculpture made by our community partner Fair Shares - who also created some rustic wooden seating for the space - to celebrate one of nature's most important contributors, many of whom also reside in beehives a bit further away on the Northbound site.
The Growing Communities green space at Gloucester Services is also home to this huge wooden bee sculpture, created by our community partner Fair Shares
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Our community partner Fair Shares also created wooden seating so colleagues and visitors can rest and enjoy the space and views
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Volunteers from local residents groups, schools and businesses have all helped create this special wild place and it has hosted tree planting courses, community flag displays and away days for local organisations alongside our gardening and growing activities.
We also worked with colleagues from Gloucester Services to create a wellbeing area for them to enjoy on breaks, with aromatic and sensual herbs such as lavender, thyme and rosemary, housed in hexagonal beds made by GL Communities.
The space is a great vantage point with views across the Severn Vale, May Hill, Robinswood Hill and the wider Cotswolds, we're delighted to share this space with colleagues, motorway travellers and community visitors for a place to rest, picnic and enjoy the natural environment which feels a million miles away from the motorway.
We also worked with colleagues from Gloucester Services to create a wellbeing area for them to enjoy on breaks, with aromatic and sensual herbs such as lavender, thyme and rosemary, housed in hexagonal beds made by GL Communities.
The space is a great vantage point with views across the Severn Vale, May Hill, Robinswood Hill and the wider Cotswolds, we're delighted to share this space with colleagues, motorway travellers and community visitors for a place to rest, picnic and enjoy the natural environment which feels a million miles away from the motorway.
The idea of including a herb garden at the Growing Communities space came from Gloucester Services colleagues
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Another of our community partners - All Pulling Together - planted some raised beds on the Growing Communities space with the help of their Garden Gang
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We're planning to introduce more arts and culture into the space in the coming year, so next time you're visiting Gloucester Services Northbound, please feel free to pop by and enjoy.
The Growing Communities space is supported by our part-time gardener Ruth and Kickstarters Melissa and Liba, who are employed on our behalf by GL Communities and are doing wonderful things with the space and often on hand for gardening tips and advice. We're also delighted to welcome the help of volunteers and community groups on the space.
The Growing Communities space is supported by our part-time gardener Ruth and Kickstarters Melissa and Liba, who are employed on our behalf by GL Communities and are doing wonderful things with the space and often on hand for gardening tips and advice. We're also delighted to welcome the help of volunteers and community groups on the space.
