Dan y Castell – Clyro Community Garden
By Karen Greenough
Clyro is a village in Radnorshire, not far from Hay on Wye, I parked up in a side road and looked up to see a couple of figures waving at me from the top of a fairly steep bank. After heading through the gate and making my way uphill, a short but energetic climb, I was warmly greeted by Roger, Trish, and Christian, three of the founding members of what has become the Clyro Community Garden. A cup of tea was immediately forthcoming, and I settled onto a bench under the covered area and surveyed the view which opened up across the valley to the hills opposite. There was a sense of space and calm that immediately made it clear why this site works so well as a community hub.
As we talked, I learned that the garden is very much still evolving. Trish explained that accessibility is a major focus for the next phase. At the moment, the climb up to the garden is fairly steep, and moving around the site can be challenging for some. The plan is to create a more accessible pathway system, including a gentler, meandering route through the garden and new growing areas at the bottom of the site.
Right now, there’s a core group of around ten volunteers who have been instrumental in getting the garden off the ground. They’ve been involved in everything from clearing overgrown land and building structures to planting the first crops. Not everyone comes every time, but so far they have had a regular fortnightly Sunday morning slot where people turn up, get stuck in, and enjoy working together outdoors. It’s flexible, low-pressure, and very much based on what people are able to offer.
Alongside the hands-on gardening, the group has been running a range of workshops including green woodworking, obelisk making, weaving, and cordage*. These sessions serve a dual purpose. On one level, they teach practical, often traditional skills. On another, they provide a gentle introduction to the garden itself. Trish mentioned that some people were initially hesitant to attend events because they worried about what might be expected from them. Workshops remove that barrier and help people connect with both the place and the people who run it.
The garden sits on land owned by Powys County Council and is leased long-term to Clyro Community Council. The project operates under the community council’s umbrella, which helps with insurance, grant applications, and financial oversight. This structure has clearly been important in turning ideas into reality. There are also strong links with the Clyro Gardening Club, which meets on the first Wednesday of every month and boasts around 40 members. Some people are involved in both groups, and the crossover works well. Open days are well attended, events are shared, and the two groups complement rather than compete with each other.
What really stood out to me during our conversation was the group’s determination not to be insular. This isn’t a garden just for “garden people” but instead a space where individuals or groups can come and decide what they want to get from it. Whether that’s growing food, learning a new skill, improving wellbeing, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea and watching the birds, all of it is valid.
The official opening in April attracted over 50 people, far more than they expected, and felt like a real milestone. A pre-Christmas gathering followed, complete with a Christmas lights switch-on. Despite a dreadful weather forecast, a surprising number of people turned up, the rain mostly stayed away, and the evening turned into one of those quietly magical community moments of people chatting, toasting marshmallows on the firepit and lingering longer than planned.
Looking ahead, there are plenty of exciting developments in the pipeline. Plans include a small pond and wetland area with a deck, new raised beds, a polytunnel, and mini allotments. Some of these beds will be used to support elderly residents in nearby bungalows who are no longer able to manage their own gardens. Trish shared a lovely example of a woman who believes strongly in drinking beetroot juice daily for her health. Beetroot juice isn’t cheap, so the group has committed to growing beetroot for her and leaving it on her doorstep. It’s a small gesture, but one that perfectly sums up the spirit of the project.
Men’s wellbeing group
Christian also spoke passionately about men’s wellbeing, an area he’s particularly keen to support. A new men’s group is already taking shape, with plans for practical workshops like bird box building, and potentially walks and other activities like cold water dips!
The idea is simple: men are often more comfortable opening up when they’re doing something side-by-side rather than sitting face-to-face talking. In just two weeks, over 50 people have joined the group online, which says a lot about how needed this kind of space is. Drawing on his own experiences with mental health and previous groups, Christian noted that these things often evolve organically, shaped by the people who attend.
To find out more or to join this group you can contact Christian via Facebook
After our chat, Roger and I had a wander around the site. There’s a potting shed, a compost toilet, secure tool storage, and a greenhouse that was donated to the project. The communal beds have already produced impressive crops such as potatoes, beetroot, beans, courgettes, parsnips, and soft fruit. Some of the produce has even gone to the village hall pop-up café, where it was turned into warming bowls of parsnip, potato, and leek soup.
As I left, Christian made a comment that stuck with me. He said that for the entire hour we’d been talking, all we’d really done was smile. And he was right. In a world where so many people are trying to spend less time on their devices and step away from the constant stream of bad news, this place feels like a quiet antidote. A space built on effort, generosity, and the simple joy of being outdoors together.
The team at Clyro community garden would welcome more volunteers to help with building, clearing, planting and growing. To find out more about volunteering, the men’s group, joining a work shop or just learn more about the project you can contact them on via their Facebook page or their Instagram Page or by emailing Roger on Rogwells@gmail.com or Trish on trishrichardson8@gmail.com or by calling or texting Roger 07890017271 or Trish 07989699501
*If you are wondering what cordage is, its the process of using plant fibres such as brambles or nettles to create a 2 ply string or twine! there are tutorials on youtube if you want to have a go or better still you can find courses such as the one run at Clyro Community Garden.