Westbourne library garden is revamped

Westbourne police officer Joel Brooks led the renovation of the small garden behind the Alum Chine Road building to provide the team with a space to relax and enjoy a drink in their breaks.

The area had been overgrown before PC Brooks put out a rallying cry on a community Facebook group.

After an overwhelming response of offers of help, the officer and a few volunteers gave up their time earlier this month to make the project a reality.

Joel Brooks, right, and the volunteers

PC Brooks said: “I wanted to do this to help and thought it would be a good way of Westbourne coming together.

“The community here is fantastic and we all work as a team. I am dedicated to this area and love policing it.

“I have happily given up my time to do this garden and am so humbled at the help I have received.

“I was joined on Sunday by a handful of volunteers, including my wife, and we really made a difference. There was a lot of help behind the scenes too as I have been working on it all weekend in between my shifts.”

The renovated space at the library

The project was supported by donations from businesses in the Westbourne area, along with residents donating plants and other garden items, including furniture.

The improved outside space also benefited from planters put together by members of the community. PC Brooks presented the finished project to the library staff earlier this week.

“I wanted to do this because I see the library as a focal point in a community,” he added.

“Everyone is welcome and they put on parent and toddler sessions through to getting senior citizens online and communicating with families. The staff have been working hard to keep this aspect of the community together, which they have done. Being committed to this community, I wanted to say thanks.”