'It's been so overwhelming': Tracey gives thanks to Northampton volunteers making her dream garden happen

Yesterday marked the second day of 'ground force' at Tracey's house in Far Cotton - which has seen a councillor, pub landlady and neighbours volunteer their time to make Tracey's garden a relaxing hub.

Before the grandmother fell ill last year she was green fingered and recalled a time where her Busy Lizzies were blooming in her borders and the trees in her garden did not meet in the middle.

After she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis she has struggled to maintain her former haven and it has become unloved and overgrown.

But with thanks to a Chronicle & Echo appeal this week, she has seen her garden "invaded" with kind-hearted neighbours. Some of whom she has never met since living at her home since 2000.

"It's been so overwhelming," Tracey said. "One lady came to my house this morning with a big bag of plants and a bag of shopping and it made me cry.

"I feel so close to tears all the while. It's been so overwhelming. I've gone from not seeing anyone for months on end during lockdown to my garden being invaded by helpers."

Today Andrea Best arrived with her garden shears to lend a hand to a total stranger.

She said: "I'm a single parent and I needed help with my garden during lockdown but I did it by myself eventually. I thought 'why not help out, what am I going to lose from helping?

"It's a neighbour who I've never met before and I'm glad we have now."

So far, Mick George skip hire has given a six yard skip to the project for free and Travis Perkins are donating fence panels for the garden.

Teresa McCarthy-Dixon, who has run the Swan and Helmet for 14 years, was the person who handed over bags of shopping and plants to Tracey.

It comes as the landlady set up a registered charity called the McCarthy Dixon Foundation, during lockdown, which helps with gardening projects.

Tracey did not come to the Chron for help, instead she asked a volunteer for a chainsaw to maintain her poisonous tree.

After a chance meet with the Far Cotton & Delapre Support Group who passed by her home one day, the support network came to this newspaper to plea for help from the community.

Helen King, who has helped to coordinate the garden revamp, added: "We went from being at a halt to working at 100mph.

"I was terrified we would have a lack of response because people have gone back to work and I thought it might not happen but all of a sudden Teresa has raised my spirits and she had Tracey crying through sheer joy. We are going to continue being there for each other. It's one of the best experiences I've had."

The project is still desperately in need of a tree surgeon. If you could spare some time, please contact Helen on 07789104358.