On Monday the construction fences arrived and work finally began on the Gunny Project!

The Gunny is a patch of recreation ground in the middle of Canvey that used to be a WW2 anti-aircraft gunnery station whose guns kept watch over the Thames. The ‘Canvey Big Local Million’ worked with local mental health support charity, Trust Links, on a project to turn it into a real hub for the local community.

The plans for the Gunny include a community building, play areas, outdoor gym facilities, picnic benches raised vegetable beds and pergola.

The new trees already planted on site will be kept and a wetland area and wildflower meadow added. Trust Links will also be running therapeutic gardening sessions for local residents.

The project has received local grant funding and I was pleased to support a successful application for a grant of £300,000 in 2023 to get the additional funding needed to realise the vision.

It has taken a lot of hard work by many dedicated people to get this project off the ground and I can’t wait for the Gunny to be turned into a beautiful new space for the whole community.

You can find out more about the plans via this link: www.trustlinks.org/gunny-project