Green Spaces Semilong

By Sienna Mahoney, Journalism student, University of Northampton.

“It’s worth it in the end because it makes people happy,” said Lou Troy. Lou, one of the volunteers at Green Spaces Semilong, helped to rebuild the children’s park and some of the patches around Semilong.

One place in particular was the community garden which the team transformed from October 2024. The garden recently won an In Bloom Level Four Neighbourhood Award for all of their efforts.

Green Spaces Semilong has people aged from as young as two years old to people in their seventies who help out and use the space. They host volunteer days and open days to encourage people to use the space and to help out.

Originally, the garden had funds of £700 given to them by West Northamptonshire Council and Northampton Town Council. Since then, they have gained more funds to expand their work, and have had donations from various places to help with the renovations.

“I think this is a place of opportunities,” said Lou about the space.

In the future, the team hopes to tackle other parts of Semilong that need some attention. They hope to also start up a project called “Walls of Change” where they decorate and paint different walls rather than allow them to continue to be graffitied. They have painted sunflowers on some walls in Semilong that have been frequently targeted and are looking to expand their efforts to other areas.

At open days, they invite various people to perform, cater, and to come along to enjoy the space.

Keep up to date with the group's work on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/589463936443369