A new community project has been launched to brighten up Cainscross and encourage residents to take greater pride in the area, with volunteers already working around the main roundabout.
Cainscross Town Council has launched its Pride in Our Parish project, alongside Cainscross in Bloom. The initiative covers Cainscross, Ebley, Cashes Green East and Cashes Green West, the four wards that make up the town council area.
The project is intended to improve local surroundings while building on existing work supporting biodiversity, wildlife and community spaces. Organisers say the area has a significant population but can sometimes feel overlooked because it sits between Stroud and Stonehouse.
Planters planned for the main roundabout
Volunteers began by tidying the area around the main roundabout and plan to add new planters there. The group says it is still at the early planning stage, but hopes to develop further projects across all four wards.
“We are still at early planning stages but have started work this weekend tidying up the area around the main roundabout and we will be adding some new planters there.”
The organisers also point to existing community activity involving open spaces, conservation and local groups. These include Stroud Valleys Trust, Down to Earth and the Canal Trust, as well as Cainscross Community Choir, Cainscross WI and Scarlet House.
“We already have many great things going on with our open spaces, in terms of biodiversity and wildlife conservation.”
The project’s organisers say those groups share spaces in the area and work to create pleasant environments for both people and wildlife.
RHS competition ambition
Cainscross in Bloom is being developed with the aim of entering the Royal Horticultural Society’s It’s Your Neighbourhood category in the Britain in Bloom competition next year.
The team has received support and ideas from Stonehouse in Bloom, which organisers described as a major source of help, inspiration and knowledge. They also hope to continue working with the neighbouring team as their plans develop.
“The Stonehouse in Bloom team have been a huge help and source of inspiration and knowledge and we hope that we will continue to work together to build the ideas.”
Volunteers and business sponsors wanted
An enthusiastic volunteer team is already involved, bringing a range of skills to the project. Organisers say more people are welcome to join, and that help is needed for more than planting. Potential roles include fundraising, administration, volunteer management and baking.
“We already have an enthusiastic team of volunteers who have all sorts of skills to add, and we are all excited to get started, but there is always room for more volunteers, not just for planting, but fund raising, admin, management of volunteers and making cakes!”
The project is also seeking financial backing, particularly from local businesses. Companies could sponsor a planter and advertise alongside the project, while other supporters can donate towards a project or individual planter.
Organisers have asked anyone interested in helping, donating or sponsoring a planter to contact the group.