Dean Brindley MA invited me down to Stoke to tell me all about why he’s currently digging out some of the town centre’s borders.

“It was, if I remember, late summer 2024,” said Dean. “I was walking through the town of Stoke-upon-Trent when I bumped into Liz Perry who was sitting on a bench. She told me about some money that had become available to help brighten up my town. It was called The Stoke Accelerator Green Space Fund. Liz asked if I’d like to be involved.”

A chance conversation turned into the formation of a little group that took the name ‘E Terris Dare Artem’, which means ‘to produce beauty from the earth’, it’s the motto of the town of Stoke-upon-Trent, explained Dean.

The group put in a bid for the funding and were successful.

“We walked around the town and targeted any number of abandoned and semi-derelict sites which with care and consideration could be turned into colourful points of interest that would both welcome visitors to Stoke-upon-Trent and be places of rest and relaxation for residents and workers.”

A period of investigation then started as the group tried to find out who owned the various small plots they wished to show a bit of love to.

Dean continued: “Once ownership and permissions were obtained we were able to begin work. Due to the time it took to track down owners we missed the autumn planting of spring bulbs, then we experienced one of the driest, hottest and brightest starts to spring on record. This hampered opportunities for quick-fix planting as available ground was compacted, parched and denuded therefore extremely challenging to cultivate.”

When I met with Dean he was valiantly battling on with digging out and prepping a dry, stony strip of land under a billboard on Fleming Road.

“Our immediate concerns relate to watering as we have no access to irrigation,” said Dean. “We also need to seriously consider how ongoing maintenance is to be resolved.”

You’ve got to admire the group’s determination and applaud the effort they’re putting in.

“The onus on this project is to provide safe, friendly and visually beautiful sites deserving of the residents and visitors to our town,” said Dean.

“We aim to turn Stoke-upon-Trent from grey, to green and blue and yellow and red and orange, and in so doing restore pride and optimism to the town at grassroots level.”

All power to you Dean, Liz and friends.