Calthorpe Estates marked the official opening of the Edgbaston Village Community Garden, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Haydn Cooper, Chief Executive of Calthorpe Estates, and Birmingham City Councillors Deirdre Alden and Matt Bennett.
Located in the heart of Edgbaston Village, the new community garden is a shared space designed to promote wellbeing, sustainability, and connection among residents, businesses, and visitors. Developed as part of Calthorpe Estates’ ongoing work to enhance the public realm across the estate, the garden has benefited from the input and support of local schools, businesses, and community partners – including Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Martineau Gardens, and others – who contributed to its planting schemes, learning initiatives, and long-term vision.
A notable feature of the garden is the inclusion of a Chatty Bench, donated by Audley Court as part of their national Chatty Bench Initiative. The bench encourages people to take a moment to pause and engage in conversation, helping to foster social interaction and combat loneliness in a simple but impactful way.
Speaking at the opening, Haydn Cooper, Chief Executive of Calthorpe Estates, said:
“The Edgbaston Village Community Garden reflects the collaborative spirit of our community. By working closely with local schools, businesses and community partners, we’ve been able to shape a space that is not only environmentally enriching but socially meaningful. The addition of the Chatty Bench highlights how even small features can have a lasting impact by encouraging connection and inclusion. We hope this garden becomes a well-used, well-loved part of the neighbourhood.”
The garden adds to a growing network of green spaces across the Edgbaston Estate and is part of Calthorpe Estates’ long-term vision to create a greener, healthier, and more connected community.