Bedfordshire Opportunities for Learning & Disabilities

The project began with a serendipitous encounter when a member of the Rotary Club of Bedford Castle visited the Bedfordshire Opportunities Learning Disabilities (BOLD) HQ Bistro on Clapham Road for a cup of coffee. Impressed by the commendable work being done to support disadvantaged individuals, the Rotarian reached out to Alan, one of BOLD’s Trustees, to explore how Rotary could offer assistance. The most pressing issue identified was the neglected tearoom garden area, which had fallen into disrepair and was no longer in use. A project plan was quickly formulated, approved, and funded by the Rotary Club of Bedford Castle.

Under the leadership of Rotarian Steve, a resolute team of five volunteers, including Rotarians Howard, Ken, Mike, and Bill, set out to revitalize the garden. Their efforts began with extensive tidying, including grass cutting and the removal of obsolete materials. Following this, they prepared the garden border, painted the fencing panels, and refurbished the garden shed. The wooden fence required two coats of paint; a task funded by Rotary. The local business Jewson of Bedford generously contributed 40 lengths of feather-edged boarding, which facilitated the repair of the entrance gate. To ensure the garden's upkeep, a lawn mower was also donated for regular grass cutting.

The refurbishment extended to relocating some picnic benches from the car park to the garden, thereby increasing seating capacity and freeing up more parking space. Today, the garden is a vibrant, fully functional space where visitors can relax and enjoy refreshments from the Bistro. This project is a testament to the Rotary Club of Bedford Castle's ongoing commitment to providing practical and effective support to the local community projects. The club look forward to further collaborations with BOLD to continue making a positive impact.

The Rotary Club of Bedford Castle