RESIDENTS and community groups alike have come together to support a local community garden which has been nominated for The Press’ Community Pride awards.

The Sprouts Community Garden opened two years ago at Howell Hall, School Lane, Copmanthorpe, and has created a range of volunteering opportunities, as well as encouraging families to learn about growing their own food locally.

Although the core group of volunteers is small, the incredible contribution from local residents, who have been happy to support the garden in one-off projects and by donating plants, has led to the community group being nominated in the Best Community Project category for the 2014 awards.

The nomination was submitted by Rebecca Craven from Copmanthorpe, who said the group deserves to win the award because it brings different ages together in the community.

She added: “Often projects are just aimed at one group but I think this brings together a wide range of people.”

When the garden was created in 2012, a team of volunteers had to first identify a site before clearing shrubs and creating raised beds.

“I have been involved in the project from the outset. There were a number of projects put forward in the area that were green and a group of people met to discuss and decided to take this one forward,” Rebecca said.

The garden gives local residents the opportunity to swap surplus produce at an annual crop swap, as well as getting involved in monthly gardening and craft sessions for families. The project has also recently seen involvement from Scouts, Cubs and Beavers, as well as a local playgroup, which has helped with planting and watering.

"We’re so pleased the scouts and Rotary have put the final bits in place so Copmanthorpe will have a garden where everyone can learn, have fun and spend time together,” Rebecca said.

The parish council have also helped fund the garden, and recognise its potential to bring age groups together within the village. Funding and volunteers have also been provided by the York Ainsty Rotary Club.

The future looks bright for Sprouts Community Garden, with work on a new part of the garden already underway. The new section will include fruit trees and bushes, and Sprouts hopes to work with a local group to create new recipes and further art projects.

The Community Pride awards are run by The Press with City of York Council, and sponsored by Benenden Health.

For more information or to make a nomination go to thepress.co.uk/pride

Or nominations can be sent to Paula Homer, PA to the editor, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN before Friday, July 18, with details including a supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4 with each nomination. You may also include a picture, which unfortunately we will be unable to return.