How Argyle North West Construction helped Somerset Avenue Community Kitchen Garden to clear a two-acre land envisioned for a community kitchen garden

Somerset Avenue Community Kitchen Garden is developing a community kitchen garden in a former garage site in Shakerley, Tyldesley, a lease from the council and Sadie Tshuma’s vision for what the two-acre plot could become: a place where the community can grow food, cook together and share meals, with produce feeding into the pantry run alongside Shakerley Community Centre and Mission Church.

Before any of that could happen, the land needed clearing.

The site was overgrown and covered with litter, broken glass and thorns, making it unsafe to work on without the right equipment and enough hands to clear it.

Sadie posted a request on Wigan Council’s Match My Project site, asking for volunteers and machinery to prepare the plot. Argyle North West Construction, a family-run business that has operated in the region since 1993, offered its support.

Meeting Sadie

Before the work began, Chantelle Wood from Argyle met Sadie and her family.

The meeting helped the team understand what Sadie was trying to build and why clearing the site mattered.

“I think from meeting Sad and seeing the passion of what she wants to achieve in the community just helped us say yes to helping this cause,” Chantelle said. “We can’t wait to see what this part of the community turns into.”

The Argyle team cleared the site in a single day, contributing 24 hours of work and £500 worth of donated time and equipment. Sadie and her family were there throughout.

“Amazing people, great to work with.”

Sadie Tshuma

Chantelle coordinated the work and kept them informed about what was happening.

What clearing the land actually means

A cleared plot is the first physical step towards the space Sadie has been working to create for the community.

For Somerset Avenue Community Kitchen Garden, the match helped the land become clear for the next stage of work to begin. For a new community group with a vision to build, having the right support at this stage matters.

About Match My Project

Match My Project connects community organisations with local businesses to deliver projects in local communities. Community organisations define what they need. Businesses contribute skills, resources and expertise where they have the greatest local impact. To find out how your organisation can get started, contact hello@matchmyproject.org.