MORE than 100 residents found their way to the launch of a pop-up community garden in Bordon.

The Healthy Streets event, organised as part of East Hampshire District Council’s Healthy New Town programme, saw the community garden open at the junction of Savile Crescent and Chalet Hill on Saturday, July 14.

An East Hampshire District Council spokesman said Whitehill and Bordon “continues to blossom into an even healthier town”.

“The event joined residents with local schools to help reclaim streets and spaces for pedestrians and cyclists, while giving people the chance to learn about healthy and active lifestyles and create local growing spaces for the community to enjoy,” the spokesman added.

“The community garden was planted by children from local schools – a number of whom turned up at the event eager to show their family and friends what they have created.

“As part of a potential ‘wayfinding’ scheme, to help residents find their way around the town, the youngsters designed colourful hexagon-shaped floor tiles that promoted healthy lifestyle messages to encourage more walking, cycling, healthy eating and mindfulness.

“The tiles were exhibited as a small path beside the community garden and will be used to create links to the community gardens, allotments, the skatepark, the Hogmoor and Bordon Inclosures and other facilities around Whitehill and Bordon.”

Richard Wolfstrome, a wayfinding designer, added: “Working with the community in Whitehill and Bordon was a pleasure. Collaborating with pupils to create the wayfinding and narrative features was inspiring and we are reminded that it is our young people who often speak with the most wisdom.”

The Mayor of Whitehill Leslie Webber said: “I think it’s a wonderful garden and it’s brilliant to have something for existing residents. It is lovely to see the hard work that children and local people have put into designing and planting this garden.”

Ferris Cowper, the district council’s portfolio holder for Whitehill and Bordon, said: “It’s fantastic that local schools have got involved in this project.”

“The event brought together residents of all ages to celebrate being a really healthy and vibrant town - and it got everyone thinking about how we can make it even healthier.”

The event was organised by the district council with urban design companies Urban Place Lab and Feria Urbanism with support from the Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company, Radian, Whitehill Town Council and Hampshire County Council.