A LIBRARY garden is set to reopen for the first time in eight years after efforts by volunteers to restore it.

Winton Library’s sunken garden will open officially to the public once again with an event on July 13.

The garden was closed off due to antisocial behaviour, but efforts since it closed have focused on reopening the space for the public to enjoy.

The BH9 Business Community has spearheaded the volunteer effort to renovate the gardens, forming the Winton Library Gardens Volunteer group.

It has taken volunteers more than 1,250 hours in nearly two and a half years to renovate the previously overgrown garden.

The team received a £15,000 grant from the community infrastructure levy to install a viewing platform in the garden, which was completed in April.

(Image: Emma Martineau/Sandy Hallett)

Since, there garden has had a soft opening, and has not yet experienced any issues with ASB in the area.

The event on Saturday, July 13 will run between 10am and 11.30am, with games and a treasure hunt organised by the library, along with refreshments.

Chair of BH9 Business Community, Emma Martineau, said: “It is quite amazing what a difference the work of a few dedicated volunteers for a few hours every week can make.

“Who would have believed we could have achieved.

“As the chair of BH9 Business Community, I would like to thank our brilliant team of core Winton Library Garden volunteers as well as the Winton Library, BCP Council and all the other individuals and companies who have given us their time and made donations of plants to make this overgrown jungle into the beautiful green space it now is.”

The garden is set to evolve as more plants are donated, but it already is teeming with wildlife, including birds, insects and bees.

(Image: Emma Martineau/Sandy Hallett)

Newts and frogs also inhabit a small pond at the centre of the garden.

The team of volunteers is in need of more people to maintain the garden, so anyone interested in lending a hand can come to the garden any Saturday, between 10am and 1pm, to help out.

Tools and gloves are provided, so all that is needed is sensible footwear.

The garden is next door to Winton Library in Wimborne Road.