In Autumn 2011 the builders finally left the Chapel and Almshouses site after lengthy restoration and re-organisation.

Now the task in hand was to restore the garden and make what was visibly a building site, into an area that would be meaningful and in keeping with the ethos of the charity for the whole complex.

There had previously been a garden of sorts in the foundations of the second row of almshouses, but over the years this had been neglected and became overgrown, and now completely excavated by the builders. A whole new plan and planting scheme for that area had to be decided.

Looking at it today (Oct 2021) one can hardly believe that in 2011 there was just the outer base walls of the 5 almshouses filled with soil and rubble from the restoration work. Todays’ beautiful, peaceful, much loved and admired garden has taken shape over the last 10 years with the help of a steady but ever changing group of dedicated Garden Volunteers. All has been accomplished with the support of the Trustees and local benefactors, and the generous donations given by our many visitors.

This is the story of its transformation…….

We were faced with two areas to re-design and re-create, namely the main garden area and a new area through the heavy wooden gate at the end of the path, which the charity acquired.

Firstly then, the Main Garden…..

As a Trustee I was given the task of redesigning the space and creating ‘somewhere’ to be available to visitors and volunteers. At no time did I have a ‘Structured Plan’, I always felt guided by the ground under my feet and ultimately by God.

I realised that the priorities were to have areas to sit, stand and congregate as well as planted floral areas for aesthetic value and grass to link the two together. I also envisioned planting two small areas near the gable end which would be the perfect place to plant two climbing roses to cover the ancient end wall. Turning all of those thoughts into actions would require much heavy labour, and at all times we had to be true to the ‘remaining footprint’ of the second row of almshouses which had not seen the light of day for many years.

The builders were able to put a paved area each end of the garden without encroaching on the perimeter so that gave us a clearer view, and an almost perfect rectangle to work with. So there we were with two paved areas, 2 lines of masonry and a bare patch in the middle. Initially this was a daunting project, but knowing that I could not do this heavy work on my own, I wrote a letter to the local press asking for ‘help’.

Several volunteers connected to the Chapel offered help once the digging had been done but for now this needed much more than they could do, so when I got a phone call from the Chair of the Rotary Club asking just what help did I need, I told him that we needed 2 or 3 strong men to do some digging.         God had heard my prayers because the Chair said “How about 10?”                             So there we were with 10 strong men who dug and raked and rolled for 2 days and there was the ‘laid out’ garden all ready for setting a lawn and planting up.

The Chairman said he would provide and lay the turf for the lawn, and lo and behold, 2 days later the whole layout was transformed into the basis of what you see today. To date, over 20,000 people have walked, sat, meditated and on occasions, danced on it, what a miracle. We have always been lucky to have a dedicated ‘grass cutter’ to maintain it all.

Then the nice bit began.

Volunteers were primed and ready to go, and they prepared and planted what became ‘their’ beds. Over the years Garden Volunteers have come and gone, and each have put their own planting stamp on the patches they took over. At no time has there been a ‘planting plan’ or any collaboration on what would go in each bed but I am sure all the gardeners hands and choices were, and still are, divinely guided. It has all evolved into the beautiful garden space we see today. Visitors never fail to remark how beautiful it all looks throughout the year when they walk down the path and view the garden for the first time. Several of the garden volunteers donated plants for their patches, for which the Charity has always been grateful.

The second half of the garden area is through the large wooden door at the end of the path. This land was acquired to enable the charity to build a small kitchen and toilet facility for the volunteers. It belonged to Mendip Housing and they kindly donated this narrow strip to the Diocese. The area was levelled and a new path laid. A narrow bed was created which was initially planted with herbaceous plants but later on it seemed ideal for roses, so 6 volunteers chose (and bought) their favourite rose and they were duly planted, and have given everyone much pleasure. Finally the kitchen area was screened by a willow arch covered in clematis.

To the left hand side, a lovely wooden Arbour was donated, and paving led towards it, giving a secluded space for visitors, and behind that was a small working area (needed in all gardens) for compost heaps, bins etc.

The fence that separated us from the adjoining property was secure and strong, but ‘see through’, and to respect our visitors privacy, a 12” beech hedge was planted which is now at its full height. We have a mirror inserted in the centre of the hedge which is a popular focal point.

Over the last 7 years (excluding Covid) we have entered the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ and ‘In Bloom’ competitions. The first year we were awarded grade 5 (highest grade), but every year since we have been given the additional commendation of ‘Outstanding’. We were judged in July 2021 and are now awaiting the results due in October. Once again we are very optimistic as the judges remarked ‘Wow’ when they entered our garden!

There are now new plans to re-design all of the rear garden to meet changing needs of our visitors and use of the space differently. This may involve removal of the 12 year old hedge, but as always whatever new ideas and installations happen it will have God’s thoughts at its roots and the volunteers hands and hearts to work out the best plan for this new venture.

The garden is what it is, not by planning and design, but by the love, generosity, time given and perseverance of the Volunteers, Trustees and Benefactors of the garden.

Sandra Booth

25.09.2021.