Netherton gardening project funding snubbed – because gardening ‘isn’t exercise’

Dec 27 2010 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

COMMUNITY groups were left stunned after being told their grant request for a gardening project had been turned down – because gardening “isn’t exercise.”

Netherton Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (TRA) had applied for £4,000 from Kirklees Council to install a 40ft poly-tunnel for plants, to build raised flower beds and buy specialist tools for children.

The plan was to put it in the grounds of Netherton Infant and Nursery School for the benefit of schoolchildren as well as local community groups.

Funding would have come from the council’s reducing inequalities grant scheme.

Applicants had to prove their project fulfilled certain criteria including, among other things, improving education and tackling childhood obesity.

But when TRA chairman Stephen Knight contacted the council to find out why they had been unsuccessful, he was shocked by the response.

He said: “I had a letter saying that the application didn’t meet the criteria and when I rang up to find out why, I was told gardening isn’t exercise.

“I couldn’t believe it. I told him I thought they were a bunch of clowns.

“Of course gardening is a physical activity. I know of sheltered housing schemes and care homes that have introduced gardening for that very reason.”