The Friends help construct the Transporter Bridge Garden

The Friends help construct the Transporter Bridge Garden

Gavin has been an inspiration when it comes to publicising the Newport Transporter Bridge during its period of closure. It closed because of the construction of the new Visitor's Centre. Researching the past Gavin discovered that a group of Transporter Bridge Crew had  their own allotment on the East Side of the Anchorage.  So in June he asked the Friends if they would help him construct a garden.  Chippings were put down as a base and raised beds were created and many of which the Friends' Committee helped construct them. They also assembled a green house.

Members if the committee at the start of the project. Left to right, Martyn Newman, Jeff Grosvenor, Terry Mercy, Gavin Jones, Grenville Pow and Peter Thomas- Keefe

Jeff Grosvenor and one other

Peter Thomas Keefe

Gavin was an ideal co-ordinator as he had previously worked for the Living Levels Project as Community Engagement Officer and had also worked for other organisations such as Cardiff Parks. His love of flora and fauna was therefore a base for the aspects of wildlife and plants that thrived in the shelter of the Transporter Bridge. 

This picture by Gavin shows that his interest encompassed the insects the garden attracted. Of the above picture he stated 'Today, this lucky Ox-Eye Daisy is being pollinated by the bizarre (but beautiful) Thick-Legged Flower beetle!

Soon other Societies and groups began to see the sense in visiting the garden. Other groups involved so far have been Pill Primary, Coleg Gwent and Newport MIND plus help has been forthcoming from from John Perkins Contractors and Alun Griffiths contractors. Students came from Coleg Gwent as they had already been involved in a College project using the Bridge and some came and helped with the construction. Usk Astronomical Society was one such society which used the site. Schools came as well. Here you can see children from Mrs Bell's Class from Pillgwenlly Primary School helping to plant the raised beds with sunflowers.

Runner Beans and Sweet Peas with the Transporter
Bridge in the background

During the summer the plants flourished as you can see above, but now Autumn is upon us and the group have begun the Autumn tidy-up. Gavin writes, 'this involves a haircut for the perennial meadow beds, carrot pulling plus weeding - but our bed of annuals is proving to be suitably hardy and the flowers are still blooming! Next is painting our greenhouse possibly green'. The transporter Bridge will eventually be re-colored green and cream.

Tidying up ready for winter Terry Mercy and Trefor Giddings

Thanks to all those who helped with this project and remember that the friends group remains active even though the Bridge is closed.