FOLLOWING June's sunny weather, everythig is coming up rosy in Okehampton's Community Garden. During the first weekend of opening, 18 children and their family members rolled up their sleeves and helped to turn soil over and plant runner beans. And at half term, members of the committee and other new members helped to weed and plant strawberry and courgette plants. The garden on Fatherford Road got given the go-ahead in January 2012 by Okehampton United Charity, following the hard work of a steering group who presented their designs to the charity before receiving approval. The land is owned by OUC, and was previously used for pasture. It has been intended to provide a new green space for the community to grow fruit and vegetables, keep chickens and bees, and help care for plants and flowers. Progress on the site had slowed down due to the steering group awaiting planning permission for a polytunnel, solar panel and a meeting shed — but it is now fully open, and members are busy growing again. Sunflower and tomato plants were kindly donated and were soon planted by keen young helpers. More donations were brought in by a couple of young helpers, who happily planted their herbs in pots to help create a colourful welcome to visitors. Okehampton Community Garden chairperson, Linda Harper, expressed her encouragement at the amount of people getting involved — and urged other people interested to join in. She said: 'Now that we can officially open up the gates of the community garden, we are keen to encourage as many members along to lend a hand with the numerous tasks ahead of us. 'Anyone can join, you don't need to be a gardening expert and membership will remain free until 2015. 'When you become a member you will be given a garden key that will enable you to come to the garden anytime that suits you between dawn and dusk. 'There will be a list of jobs written on a noticeboard inside the green shed and members can decide which job best suits them.' During these early days of progress, there are a limited number of tools on site, so any potential members are asked to bring any tools they may have with them. If anyone has any old garden tools that they would like to donate to the garden, they can ring the secretary on 01837 659533. If you would like to become a member you can pop into the garden to collect a membership form. Alternatively, you can collect forms from the library and the Ockment Centre, or you can download a form from the community garden Facebook page, or call the secretary on 01837 659533. At the present time, members of the garden committee will endeavour to be at the garden on Saturdays from noon to 4pm and Sundays between 2pm and 4pm, weather permitting. l Pictured above are some of the youngsters enjoying the Okehampton Community Garden.