Overview
Looking back over the last 12 months, I am immensely proud of the restoration work our gardening group has achieved in the Matson Rose Garden, as well as the community-based fundraising events they have supported; to help raise funds and promote the work we do for the Matson Community.
As most of you know GL Communities did not renew the lease on the Phoenix Community Centre building and as a result this community asset was closed at the end of July. This meant, we had to consider a new home for our gardening group, as there was no room for our gardening group, tools and equipment at GL Communities Advice and Resource Centre (aka the ARC) on Norbury Avenue, Matson. Even if this option was available, it would have been impractical to transfer our tools and equipment between the Matson Rose Garden and the ARC.
So, on behalf of our gardening group, I contacted the Reverend Sarah Todd from the local diocese (the owners of the site) and asked if we could remain in the Phoenix Centre Garden, thankfully Sarah kindly supported our request and currently we now use the former ‘wood-working shed’ for our gardening group; although this may change in the New Year depending on the long-term plans for the site as a whole? We are very grateful for Sarah’s intervention in this matter, as well as her support for our gardening group and our long-term plans for the Matson Rose Garden.
As part of our on-going restoration project, we provide an annual written management plan to Gloucester City Council (hereafter GCC) Environmental Management Team (e.g. those responsible for ‘Parks and other Green Spaces’ in and around Gloucester City Centre) to approve the work we carry out.
I am pleased to report that most of our work schedules/projects are met and supported with favourable outcomes, although a lack of funds in GCC’s budget recently has had an impact on financial support for our planned work. In particular, our drainage and pathway improvement plans are yet to be formally approved.
As a group, we are always grateful for the support of GCC and the Ubico teams that come along and collect our green waste material and provide tree surgery when requested to do so. It should be recognised that this often goes beyond contractual mowing services and waste bin collections; which are carried out on a regular basis.
Special Events & Achievements 2025
January
Noticeboard
We installed two noticeboards in the Matson Rose Garden and these are continually used to promote upcoming events for the gardening group, the residents group, GL Communities and Veterans when required.
January
February
Fund raising event
We ran our first fund-raising event; a successful tabletop sale was held in the Matson Baptist Church and this raised over £600 for the gardening group. This helped to purchase tools, equipment and protective clothing for the group members.
March
Build Back Scheme Funding
Awarded £5,000 from the ‘Build Back Scheme’ that was supported by our local Councillor Alastair Chambers. This money is going towards our pathway improvement and flood/rainwater drainage plan.
March
April
Cheltenham Round Table Fund
Awarded £500 from the Cheltenham Round Table and this was used to purchase a large wheelbarrow and tripod ladder and this equipment has proved to be very beneficial.
May
Rotary Club Funding
We arranged for the pathways to be cleared of weeds and other vegatation as part of our pathway management plan. We were also successful with our Rotary Club application of a grant for £500 to restore the circular raised bed in the Rose garden.
May
June
Gloucester City Foundation Funding
Our Gloucester City Foundation application was also successful and a grant of £1,000 was awarded to go towards purchasing a shipping container; if permission to site one is granted by GCC or to be used on other infrastructure plans. Roy and Helen received the Rotary Club Grant Award at a formal ceremony on behalf of the group.
July
Closure of the Phoenix Centre
The Phoenix Centre closed at the end of July and arrangements to manage the gardening group from the Phoenix Centre Garden was approved by the local diocese. We also started to use the former ‘wood-working shed’ as our base for our weekly meetings.
July
August
Raised Beds and Planting
We ordered plants for the raised bed and prepared the site for planting, after consulting with the residents group.
September
Further planting of circular beds
We planted the raised circular bed with a range of plants and bulbs, such as hidcote lavender, alliums, daffodils and bush roses; in each quadrant of this feature.
September
October
Sue Cunningham retires
We said a final farewell to our CEO, Sue Cunningham and presented her with a gift from the gardening group and wished her a happy and well deserved retirement, after serving GL Communities with complete loyalty and devotion over the years in office. We also welcomed our new CEO, Cathy Griffiths who visited our group and provided valued advice and support.
November
Matson Baptist Church - Table Top Sale
We held another successful tabletop sale in the Matson Baptist Church and raised just over £200 from this event; most of this has been spent on warm clothing for the group members as well as hand tools. Approval was granted for us to install a gate between the Phoenix Centre Garden and the Rose Garden by the diocese, with the support of GCC and Ubico. It is intended that we will have the work carried out in the New Year.
November
December
Ending the year.
We have started to spread the soil heap around the top of the Rose Garden and intend to level this area and cover it with woodchip in the new year. Ubico helped with their tractor to spread the mound and this has saved the group both time and effort.
Summary
In summary, we have achieved most of our objectives during 2025 and I look forward to seeing flowers blooming in the circular raised bed and surrounding areas in the new year.
I would like to thank:
- GL Communities
- The Matson Residents Group
- Gloucester City Council
- Ubico
- The Cheltenham Round Table
- The Rotary Club of Gloucester
- Gloucester Community Foundation Fund
for their generosity and on-going support. In addition, I would like to thank the Community Champions from Asda, Morrisons and Tesco Supermarkets for their donations for our community events.
We would also like to give special thanks to Bob and Liz Allen and their volunteers at the Matson Baptist Church for their on-going support with our community gardening project.
On a final note, I wish everyone a happy and healthy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
