{"id":21585,"date":"2017-11-14T18:20:03","date_gmt":"2017-11-14T18:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=21585"},"modified":"2017-11-14T18:20:03","modified_gmt":"2017-11-14T18:20:03","slug":"volunteers-give-neglected-gardens-new-lease-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2017\/11\/14\/volunteers-give-neglected-gardens-new-lease-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteers give neglected gardens a new lease of life"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><figure id=\"attachment_21712\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21712\" style=\"width: 620px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21712\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-title-img.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-title-img.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-title-img-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-title-img-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-title-img-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21712\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21712\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-title-img.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-title-img.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-title-img-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-title-img-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-title-img-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/noscript> The volunteers pause for a group photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">GREEN-FINGERED residents braved cold, wet weather on Tuesday, November 14 to clean up St Mary\u2019s Gardens, one of Cardiff\u2019s more secluded parks.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The clean-up at the Old Church Road park was organised by resident Zoe Pearce, and supported by Whitchurch PACT, Whitchurch Women\u2019s Institute and ward councillors. <\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThe gardens have obviously been a bit neglected over the years,\u201d said Richard Roberts, community park ranger, who helps out at clean-ups like these.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mr Roberts is one of Cardiff\u2019s five community park rangers and is also responsible for Forest Farm Country Park.<\/span><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21708\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21708\" style=\"width: 620px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-21708 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/Richard-Roberts-Tools.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/Richard-Roberts-Tools.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/Richard-Roberts-Tools-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/Richard-Roberts-Tools-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/Richard-Roberts-Tools-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21708\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-21708 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/Richard-Roberts-Tools.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/Richard-Roberts-Tools.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/Richard-Roberts-Tools-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/Richard-Roberts-Tools-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/Richard-Roberts-Tools-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/noscript> Richard Roberts provided equipment and assistance on behalf of Cardiff Council Parks.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIt is a community project,\u201d said Zoe Pearce, who instigated the Community Volunteer Group set up to improve the gardens.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The group picked up litter, swept leaves and trimmed back overgrown foliage.<\/span><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21713\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21713\" style=\"width: 620px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21713\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-tool-search.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-tool-search.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-tool-search-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-tool-search-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-tool-search-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21713\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21713\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-tool-search.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-tool-search.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-tool-search-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-tool-search-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-tool-search-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/noscript> Volunteers select their tools ready to spruce up St Mary&#8217;s Gardens.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The gardens have a long history that should\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">be remembered, said Janice Hughes, head of Whitchurch PACT.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The gardens were originally the site of a church of the same name that was built during the 17th Century, which incorporated a chapel built in the 15th Century.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For Mrs Hughes this is also personal: \u201cI have relatives buried here in 1865.\u201d<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some memorial stones date back to the late 17th Century, the oldest belonging to James William who died in 1695.<\/span><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21711\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21711\" style=\"width: 620px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21711\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-gravestones.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-gravestones.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-gravestones-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-gravestones-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-gravestones-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21711\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21711\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-gravestones.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-gravestones.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-gravestones-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-gravestones-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-gravestones-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/noscript> Memorial stones in the gardens, many of which have become overgrown.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Evidence of church settlements on the site go back even earlier to the 12th Century.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The church was demolished in 1904 after a new parish church had been built in 1885 on Church Road.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After negotiations with the Church in Wales, Cardiff Council took over responsibility for the disused churchyard in 1972.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The council used a \u00a314,500 grant from a scheme known as Operation Eyesore to transform the space into St Mary\u2019s Gardens, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">officially opened in 1974.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the same year it won an award at the Wales in Bloom competition and even had its own park keeper, who had a mess room and shed in the gardens.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, after being transformed from an eyesore into an award-winning garden this space has once again become neglected.<\/span><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21709\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21709\" style=\"width: 620px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21709\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-bins.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-bins.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-bins-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-bins-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-bins-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21709\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21709\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-bins.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-bins.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-bins-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-bins-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/st.-marys-gardens-bins-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/noscript> Overgrown bins in the park.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mrs Hughes worries that a lack of rangers means that park gates are sometimes unable to be opened and closed at certain hours.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Drinking and antisocial behaviour has been reported by people in the flats that face the gardens.<\/span><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21707\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21707\" style=\"width: 620px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21707\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/drinking-can.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/drinking-can.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/drinking-can-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/drinking-can-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/drinking-can-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21707\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21707\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/drinking-can.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/drinking-can.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/drinking-can-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/drinking-can-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/drinking-can-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/noscript> Evidence of drinking left behind in the gardens.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Concerns were raised with Cardiff Council and South Wales Police over two years ago by Derek Hector, community watch coordinator for Heol-y-Forlan.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mr Hector and others from the local area now regularly open and close the gates resulting i<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">n a marked fall in antisocial behaviour in St Mary\u2019s Gardens.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Residents hope that with more help they can restore these gardens to their former glory.<\/span><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21710\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21710\" style=\"width: 620px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21710\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/St.-Marys-Gardens-Entrance.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/St.-Marys-Gardens-Entrance.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/St.-Marys-Gardens-Entrance-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/St.-Marys-Gardens-Entrance-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/St.-Marys-Gardens-Entrance-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21710\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21710\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/St.-Marys-Gardens-Entrance.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/St.-Marys-Gardens-Entrance.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/St.-Marys-Gardens-Entrance-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/St.-Marys-Gardens-Entrance-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2017\/11\/St.-Marys-Gardens-Entrance-293x220.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/noscript> The entrance to St Mary\u2019s Gardens with a plaque commemorating the date they were created.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Those who wish to volunteer at future community events can contact Zoe Pearce on saintmarysgardens@gmail.com.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GREEN-FINGERED residents braved cold, wet weather on Tuesday, November 14 to clean up St Mary\u2019s Gardens, one of Cardiff\u2019s more secluded parks. The clean-up at the Old Church Road park was organised by resident Zoe Pearce, and supported by Whitchurch PACT, Whitchurch Women\u2019s Institute and ward councillors. \u201cThe gardens have obviously been a bit neglected over the years,\u201d said Richard Roberts, community park ranger, who helps out at clean-ups like these. Mr Roberts is one of Cardiff\u2019s five community park [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123,"featured_media":21712,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[52,452,5148,2373,5149,5150,5151],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-21585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-whitchurch","tag-cardiff-council","tag-church","tag-drinking","tag-pact","tag-park-rangers","tag-st-mary","tag-wales-in-bloom"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Volunteers give neglected gardens a new lease of life - The Cardiffian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2017\/11\/14\/volunteers-give-neglected-gardens-new-lease-life\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Volunteers give neglected gardens a new lease of life - The Cardiffian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"GREEN-FINGERED residents braved cold, wet weather on Tuesday, November 14 to clean up St Mary\u2019s Gardens, one of Cardiff\u2019s more secluded parks. The clean-up at the Old Church Road park was organised by resident Zoe Pearce, and supported by Whitchurch PACT, Whitchurch Women\u2019s Institute and ward councillors. \u201cThe gardens have obviously been a bit neglected over the years,\u201d said Richard Roberts, community park ranger, who helps out at clean-ups like these. 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