A community garden supported by Halton Housing has achieved high recognition from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for its excellence in horticulture and community involvement.

Arden Community Garden, located in Widnes, has been awarded a Level 4 certification from the UK’s leading gardening charity, a prestigious accolade just one level below the top RHS rating of Level 5.

This certification, achieved in the garden’s very first year, highlights the dedication and impact of the garden’s volunteers and community supporters.

Speaking on behalf of the garden, Millie Allen said: “We received our RHS certificate today, and we are thrilled to have achieved Level 4! With the highest mark being Level 5, reaching such a high level in our first year has blown us away. Thank you so much for all the support from Halton Housing over the past year.”

The RHS scoring system places particular emphasis on community engagement, which was a standout feature in Arden Community Garden’s evaluation. This certification celebrates not only the quality of the garden itself but also the active involvement and partnership of local residents, making it a true community achievement.

Halton Housing has been proud to support Arden Community Garden through granting use of the land, providing materials and resources including a storage shed. Last year, our teams held a 'Spruce up Your Streets' to help kick start the project, helping the garden grow into a valuable resource for the area.

On behalf of everyone at Halton Housing, we would like to congratulate all involved with the Arden Community Garden.