Lovaine Community Garden is an organic growing space in the heart of North Shields town centre, 2 minutes walk from the metro station, in a built up urban area. Established by residents of Lovaine Place and Cecil St in 2010, on a previous WW2 bombsite, which became a neglected anti-social behaviour and flytipping hotspot, we aim to teach and encourage organic horticulture techniques and eco conciousness in the local community, as a means to improve the immediate environment and to promote Gardening and access to nature for personal and community wellbeing. We are a much needed central urban greenspace for people who have no access to a garden space of their own, or who may be unable to access or tend a garden because of physical or finanical difficulties, housing constraints, or lack of horticultural knowledge or training. Alongside promoting gardening as a health benefit for physical and mental wellbeing, and providing a maintained site to do so, which is free at point of use - we also distribute fresh produce and excess plants to the local community, we organise and run nature, wildlife and craft activities and host open days and cultural events to promote a garden as an inspirational space for art, music, sculpture and poetry. Members of the public can book private slots to use the garden for quiet relaxation in the private outdoor well stocked patio garden, or to meet with family or friends for a bbq (as guidelines allow) or to host an outdoor event of their own, such as a childs tea party/teddies bears picnic, or Easter Egg hunting.
