Just three months after work commenced on the derelict garden grounds at Thorpe Hall, the Hospice’s Kitchen Garden was officially opened recently.
Just three months after work commenced on the derelict garden grounds at Thorpe Hall, the Hospice’s Kitchen Garden was officially opened recently. The transformation in such a short space of time is nothing short of remarkable and the over-grown; weed ridden patch is a distant memory.
This beautiful project is even more spectacular when you factor in that it was erected solely through the dedication and efforts of volunteers from a number of contributors, all of which added a different dimension whether it be financially, practically or even a helping hand through experience.
The garden dates back over a century and has now been reconfigured back to its original glory whereby produce including fruit, salad and vegetables will be grown for use in the hospices kitchen with a longer term vision to incorporate a Thorpe Hall Farm Shop.
Patient rehabilitation and general well being were the central focus of the development and the stunning raised beds, flower border, seating and children’s areas that the garden now boasts certainly provides a delightful setting for planting, harvesting and gardening activities.
Jane Petit, Hospice Director said: ‘’We are very lucky to have the space to allow us to develop such a valuable project at Thorpe Hall. The hard work and commitment that has gone into creating the Garden has been incredible – even on the hottest day of the summer we had people building a polytunnel, shifting soil and planting sleepers.’’
Petit continued: ‘’The garden is the perfect example of a sustainable project in which businesses can work alongside charities to benefit hundreds of people from across the community’’.
Mick George Ltd were a vital supplier to the project, issuing materials for pathway and flowerbed construction and numerous skips for removing waste.
Jon stump, Finance Director at Mick George Ltd. commented: ‘’Throughout the year we have pledged our support to Sue Ryder and Thorpe Hall hospice achieving in excess of £50,000 to aid the provision of a new patient unit to provide care to local people and their families’’.
Stump continued: ‘’The garden is a major element of the unit and the launch is a tangible point in which everyone see’s their efforts rewarded and the patients can start to enjoy the surroundings.’’
