A resident from a local independent living scheme has found a new sense of purpose, after he took responsibility for tending to a community garden.
Brian Greenway, age 74 moved into Neuadd Maldwyn on 1 May 2025. After several years of living with a walking disability in a flat with no accessible entrance, he was delighted to be able to be mobile again, living in Neuadd Maldwyn’s purpose-built accommodation and using his walker to get around.
One of Mr Greenway’s long-running passions had been horticulture and a love of growing vegetables, fruits and beautiful flowers. But his previous living-situation had meant this was not an option.
A grant from Keep Wales Tidy and a partnership between Neuadd Maldwyn’s owners ClwydAlyn and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Welshpool Fire Station, saw a patch of unused land converted into a community garden; and Mr Greenway was just the right person to take on the project; using his expert knowledge gained over 40-years, to bring the garden to life.
Every day, Mr Greenway can be found in the community garden, nurturing the vegetables, and fruits which are shared with neighbours and other residents from the community, members of the fire service and passers by who stop for a chat.
Explained Mr Greenway: “I feel like I have been reborn. I have rediscovered my passion for horticulture; I never thought I would be able to do this again.”
The space consists of five raised beds and a small polytunnel. Some young fruit trees have also been planted in the area, which will mature in years to come.
The crops of home-grown, organic foods have been something to behold. From soft fruits like raspberries and strawberries, to radishes, lettuce, beetroot, courgettes, beans, broccoli and a variety of herbs. Within the polytunnel Mr Greenway has nurtured a successful crop of tomatoes, along with green peppers and even some jalapeno chillies! All surrounded by joyful sunflowers and colour brought by the Marigolds which help to keep away pests from the produce.
Continued Mr Greenway: “I was in a bad place, feeling very low. But since moving to Neuadd Maldwyn, it’s been wonderful. I’ve become more confident, and love chatting to the people who pass by the garden and ask about what’s going on.
“It’s amazing, out of something so small you can create something so plentiful. Almost everything here was grown from seed. I’m starting to think about what we will plant next year, and I’m already looking forward to it.”
Local residents enjoy passing by and seeing the burgeoning beds; with children stopping to see the fruits growing and being able to pick their own berries and vegetables. And Mr Greenway enjoys passing on his knowledge of growing food.
Brendan McWhinnie, Scheme Manager at Neuadd Maldwyn said: “Brian has become such an important part of our community. Whether he’s at the community garden chatting about the produce, wandering into town as he does several times each week, or stopping to talk to residents at the scheme; he does it all with such positivity and warmth.
“We have seen a transformation in Brian and it’s a wonderful example of what people can do when they feel connected, valued and supported.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Keep Wales Tidy for the raised beds and polytunnel. And to everyone at the fire station for their invaluable and ongoing support with the community garden project. And of course to Brian for the wonderful work he’s doing to ensure the community garden is such a huge success!”
Station Manager Kerry Hughes, who first proposed the idea of creating the community garden and who officially opened it in February, said: “This garden is much more than just a green space. It’s a place where people can come together, take time out from their busy lives, and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors.
“We wanted to create somewhere that feels welcoming, inclusive and accessible to everyone, and we’re proud to be able to share it with the community. We’re thrilled that Mr Greenway and other Neuadd Maldwyn residents have made use of the space and we look forward to watching it grow and flourish in the years ahead.”
Concludes Mr Greenway: “For me it’s about sharing. Residents come and sit on the benches and chat. I can share some of my knowledge with them and they can take away a bag of tomatoes or a bunch of mint.
“I would love it if someone younger from the town wanted to come along and help; I’d really enjoy passing on what I have learnt over the years.”
