Cardiff Community Allotment Shed Destroyed in Fire Incident
A devastating incident has left the community in Cardiff reeling as their beloved garden shed was burnt to the ground. The Riverside Community Garden’s shed in Pontcanna was engulfed in flames during the early hours of Sunday, November 17, leaving the community without a dedicated space to gather for refreshments, breaks, and socializing.
The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service received a call to the scene at around 12:14 am on November 17, with a stop message received at 1:08 am. The community garden, located at the allotment, has been a staple in Cardiff for 15 years and is hailed as one of the oldest community gardens in the city. Over the past six months, the community-interest company Cardiff Salad Garden has been overseeing the site.
Sophie Bolton, the managing director of Cardiff Salad Garden, expressed the community’s devastation over the loss. The shed, built from reclaimed pallet wood, housed a pizza oven, a large table with seating for 15-20 people, and served as a communal space for meals, tea breaks, and gardening activities. The community also used the shed for indoor tasks during bad weather and for social gatherings during the summer.
Unfortunately, the fire left nothing of the shed behind. Everything inside, including the pizza oven, tables, chairs, a hand washing station, and a library of gardening books, was destroyed. Additionally, raised beds and fencing around a pond near the shed were also lost in the blaze.
With more than 40 volunteers actively involved in tending to the community garden, the space holds significant value and importance to many. A GoFundMe page has been set up by the community to raise funds for rebuilding the shed and restoring the allotment to its former glory.
Sophie explained that efforts are underway to gather feedback from volunteers on how to improve the new shed design to better suit the community’s evolving needs. The garden has been a source of various fruits, vegetables, and herbs, with surplus produce donated to the wider community. The space serves as a hub for social interaction, support, and wellbeing for many individuals.
The community’s response to the fundraising initiative has been overwhelming, with over £1,870 raised so far towards the £5,000 target. People have shown immense generosity and solidarity in supporting the rebuilding efforts. The community garden signifies more than just a place to grow produce; it symbolizes a sanctuary for mental and physical wellbeing, fostering a sense of community spirit and connection.
As the community comes together to overcome this setback, the united effort and resilience displayed in the face of adversity exemplify the strength and solidarity that define the fabric of Cardiff’s Riverside Community Garden. The shared commitment to rebuild and restore the allotment shed serves as a testament to the unwavering spirit of this tight-knit community.