PEOPLE of Ipswich are celebrating today after their community garden project won more than 80,000 in the Big Lottery Fund.The Town and Bridge project's community garden, at the Maidenhall allotments, in Halifax Road, Ipswich, was announced as the winner of the competition today after it went head to head with another community project in Sproughton.

PEOPLE of Ipswich are celebrating today after their community garden project won more than £80,000 in the Big Lottery Fund.

The Town and Bridge Project's community garden, at the Maidenhall allotments, in Halifax Road, Ipswich, was announced as the winner of the competition after it went head to head with another community project in Sproughton.

A two minute show to showcase the project was broadcast on ITV on Thursday during Anglia News at 6pm and was announced on the programme the following day.

A cheque for £80,000 was presented to the Town and Bridge project at 3.30pm on Friday by producers of the ITV People's Millions, Big Lottery Fund.

Julie Stokes, Town and Bridge Project manager, said: “It's fantastic news, I am over the moon.

“The support we have had for this project locally, regionally and from other parts of the country has been amazing and everyone involved, the local schools, individuals, local organisations, community groups and businesses have worked so hard supporting and promoting the project.

“The £80,000 from the People's Millions will enable us to create a wonderful managed outdoor community garden and learning space for younger and older people, people with disabilities, people with mental health and the community to learn about growing vegetables, herbs and plants or being able to share their skills with others and providing local people with healthy locally grown organic produce.”

The Community Garden will include a sensory garden, raised beds for older people or people with disabilities to tend, accessible facilities, vegetable plots, fruit trees, herb circle and a polytunnel for all year round growing.

There will also be opportunities for volunteering and fun courses to learn about how to cook healthy low cost dishes using the vegetables, fruit and herbs grown on the site, improving the local environment and wildlife conservation on the allotments.

Miss Stokes said: “I would just like to thank everyone who voted for us, without your vote we wouldn't have won the award and you are all now part of this new exciting community project in Ipswich.”

What do you think about the project? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.