Neighbourhood spruced up with new community garden

The land used to be littered with dumped beer bottles, discarded drug needles and other rubbish.

But now thanks to the efforts of one business and residents, the once blighted spot has been transformed.

The community garden off Long Lane, Halesowen, now has benches, fences and plants.

Rhianne Yafai, aged 27, who runs the nearby Craft House, lead the project alongside business partner Katherine George, 39.

Rhianne, from Solihull, said: "We took on this project because it is next door to our shop.

"It wasn't nice to look at and we thought it would benefit the community if we redeveloped the land.

"Hopefully it will mean a lot to local people. The feedback we have had was fantastic.

"The area needed it, we don't have much there. But people have asked how long will it be until someone rips it apart."

The garden cost around £2,000 to build. Part of it was funded by Dudley Council thanks to a community grant worth £1,170.

The other part of the project was funded by Rhianne. She runs the Craft House, which is located round the corner on Long Lane.

Her business run workshops for children. "Our business does a lot for the community," she said.

Writing a statement on their Facebook page, The Craft House said: "We would have been lost without a few fabulous volunteers this week.

"The garden would never have been finished in time for opening without them. Julie, Joshua, and Shaun. Thank you so so much."

Former Halesowen councillor Stuart Henley said praised the business for 'doing so much to keep the community together'.

"Keep up the good work," he said.