RESIDENTS on a street in Bradford have come together to create a community vegetable patch on a plot of land that has been unused for several years.

Reverend Tim Thomas, of St John’s Bowling Church has made the land, which is part of the vicarage, available to the community and is leading on the project to turn it into a community space.

He is being joined by a retired builder and neighbour, Aurang Zaib, who he met on a bike ride last year.

Rev Thomas, who already had a vision for the plot of land mentioned this to Aurang, who was keen to get the job started.

He said: “At the front of the plot we’re going to have a community gathering area, where people can cook food and enjoy being a community.

“At the back, we will have a vegetable garden plot, which the community can use to build something constructive and beautiful, to give people the opportunity to grow fresh veg."

Work officially started last summer, when the site was cleared, and a fence was put up to prevent fly-tipping.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Residents working on the community garden Residents working on the community garden

Work was put on pause during the winter months but now with Aurang’s help, the project is set to be completed by this time next year, with the community gathering area to be ready in the next few months.

Aurang said: “I did a lot of work with Bradford Moor Play and Support Services at Attock Park community gardens, during the lockdown, and I wanted to have something closer.

“I got speaking to Reverend Tim and he told me his plans and I wanted to be a part of the work.

“I feel good that I’m organising something that the community can use and get together.

“The main aim is to get the community together.”

The community garden will hopefully be completed by next summer where locals and enjoy themselves and grow their own fresh vegetables.