Community Garden - Moor Pool History

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Moor Pool lacked an open space for residents to meet or gather. There was nowhere for parents and their children to go which was either suitable or secure. This was a serious shortcoming for a garden suburb in which provision for children was one of Nettlefold's desires. Neither does Moor Pool have an open space suitable for occasional open-air events or gatherings. This has been apparent at the annual Moor Pool Festivals. The Tennis Courts and Bowling Green are unsuitable for large numbers of people to walk on them without causing damage. The area formerly known as Site B has been re-developed as a formal communal garden with flower borders, grassed areas and some seating. The area is being restored for this purpose and the Trust has worked with Banner Homes to ensure its proper use and security. As such it has been securely enclosed and access will be restricted. Hedges have been cut back to their intended height and overgrown trees and saplings properly pruned or removed. Areas unusable as a garden will be secured as a protected wildlife area as part of the Trusts conservation area management plan.

In 1909, the area was used for the May Day Festivities. Initial proposals included a stage area that could have been used by the Moorpool Players to provide occasional outdoor theatre. Residents expressed concerns about over use and noise if a specific children's play area is created. This was not the intention but rather a meeting place, which retains the tranquillity characteristic of Moor Pool.

The Moor Pool Heritage Trust was granted funding of just over £8,500 towards the Moor Pool Gardens community pocket park. The funding was received from the Department for Communities and Local Government

The following press release accompanied the announcement.

More than 80 unloved and neglected urban spaces across the country will be transformed into green oases for everyone to use, thanks to a share of a £1.5 million dedicated fund, Communities Secretary Greg Clark announced today.

Increasing the availability of green space draws more people outside, giving residents, particularly in urban areas without gardens of their own, more space to relax, get together with their neighbours, grow food and provide a safe space for their children to play.
Now 87 community groups, from Newcastle to Penryn in Cornwall, will have the money to create their own ‘dream’ pocket parks, developing small parcels of land, sometimes as small as the size of a tennis court.

The funds were to enable hard surface pathways to be completed and safety fencing to protect the wildlife area and deep culvert. The lawned area would be laid and the target was to finish these initial works in time for a Mayday opening ceremony.

An early plan for the Estate by Martin & Martin shows a park, playing space and allotments. The park and green became allotments whilst the current site was initially a bowling green until this moved to its present site by the Moor Pool. It then became an allotment area. Like the Valley this area occasionally floods.

Pictured is the bowling green in 1909 being used for a community event.