After various complaints about the eyesore that was the Somerset West Library garden, improvements have been made.
A recent complaint by André and Jackie du Toit saw the garden spruced up by various wonderful Samaritans. An initial cleaning and pruning of bushes was done by the Cit of Cape Town’s Recreations and Parks Department and the Du Toits volunteered their services. The Friends of the Library held a meeting with Wendy Carter from the Somerset West Village Garden and the Du Toits. Carter devised a plan for saving the garden and the Du Toits have kindly offered the services of their gardener, Willem van Rooyen, to assist for three hours on one Tuesday a month.
The couple has also volunteered their own time and helped their gardener in the garden. Wendy has supervised the clean-up operation.
So far, a major cleaning operation has left the garden in much better shape. Marking of flower beds and weeding has brought about a new perspective on the garden. There is currently no tap outside for watering the garden, but the librarian in charge has submitted a notification to the City’s Facility Management Maintenance team, and the tap is in process of being replaced. Vandals have stolen the previous copper taps, and the request now is for a plastic tap. The Somerset West Village Garden donated compost for the flowerbeds. However, there was still much work needed to bring the garden back to its former glory.
. If anyone would like to volunteer in the garden or help make the garden beautiful again, contact Wendy Carter at wendycarter@eqweb.co.za
