Help Us Bring The Ladder Garden Back to Life

If you've visited The Ladder over the last few years, you'll know how much our outdoor spaces have changed.

What was once a car park has gradually become somewhere people can sit, chat, eat, watch performances, and spend time together. It's happened thanks to the hard work of volunteers who have built planters, grown flowers, painted old bins, pulled weeds, and kept the space looking welcoming through building works and renovations.

Now the garden needs a bit of love again.

Scaffolding, construction work, and everyday use have taken their toll, and we're ready to start the next chapter. We also have a front garden that's currently underused and a little neglected, but has huge potential.

Recently, 20 volunteers aged between 5 and 75 joined us for a garden tidy-up. In just a few hours they cleared weeds, removed rubbish, and helped us start imagining what the space could become. The turnout reminded us how many people care about The Ladder and want to help make it better.

Over the coming months we'd like to plant more flowers, herbs, and vegetables, create spaces for pollinators and wildlife, and add more places for people to sit and enjoy the garden. We want the space to feel greener, brighter, and more welcoming for everyone who uses it.

You don't need any gardening experience to get involved. Whether you know your way around a flower bed or can't tell a weed from a vegetable, we'd love to have you along. There'll be opportunities to plant, build, paint, tidy, water, and generally muck in.

Like everything at The Ladder, this is a community effort. The garden only exists because local people have given their time, energy, and creativity. We'd love more people to be part of it.

We'll be running regular gardening sessions over the coming months, so keep an eye on our website and social media for dates.

Come and help us make something beautiful join us outside the ladder at 10.30-1pm on 27 June, 18 July, 15 August and then join us for free lunch afterwards!

For more info, please email grace@riftexcursions.com