Urban farm receives spruce-up support

We’ve given a helping hand to an urban farm in Birmingham designed to bring the local community closer to nature.

Our Wolverhampton and Dudley branches have donated a range of building materials to Woodgate Urban Farm, based in Bartley Green, after being approached by customer David Cox, of Facilica Building Services.

The materials have been used to create a concrete path at the entrance to the farm to improve access for wheelchair users or less able visitors in particular.

Woodgate Valley is one of 59 urban farms in the UK and is a community managed project designed to raise awareness of farming and gardening.

Animals on the farm include sheep, pygmy goats, ducks, geese and rabbits.

Michael Gee, a trustee and project and development manager at the farm, said: “The farm is a key part of the community and is well supported by local residents and families.

“We were aware that the entrance needed revamping and we are extremely grateful to Selco for donating the materials and Facilica Building Services for carrying out the work. It has made a huge difference.

“We are run entirely by volunteers so donations and offers of work such as we have received here are invaluable.

“We have just reopened after lockdown and having a new entrance is the perfect boost.”

Selco donated materials including cement, ballast and reinforcement bars.

Paul Stokes, branch manager of Selco Wolverhampton, said: “When we were approached by David to provide support for Woodgate Urban Farm, we had no hesitation in saying yes.

“It’s a facility which plays an important part in the local community and we are delighted to lend our support as it looks to build on the reopening after lockdown.

“Our ethos at Selco is to support the local communities in which we operate and this is a brilliant scheme to be involved in.”