Celebrating our new Walled Wellness Garden
On Saturday 18th April, community members, trustees, and EHC staff and volunteers gathered to celebrate our new Walled Wellness Garden. The weather was beautifully sunny, adding to the relaxed and happy atmosphere of the gathering.
The event began with a speech by mayor Johnnie Wells, who remarked how quickly the transformation had taken place. “It was a real Herculean effort to get it where it is,” he said, thanking all involved. He then graciously “surrendered cutting the ribbon” to EHC Chair, Lynne Isaacs.
Tea, coffee, cake and St Ives Foodbank burgers were plentiful, and enjoyed both indoors and out. EHC trustee Claire and husband Kev provided gentle music as visitors made the most of sales, raffle and tombola.
A New Structure
Part of the old space is now occupied by a new structure. The before and after shots – from wilderness to raised beds ready for our Garden Club to plant – reveal quite a difference!
A photo display under the veranda showed the over all transformation the project has created.
As the day went on, people gathered in the new structure (The Shedward Hain?) . . . and sang . . . and gathered more . . .
L-R: EHC staff members Mark Wilson, Kerrie Cox and Claire Jefferies; EHC trustee Claire Sutcliffe; Centre Director Sharron Goldingay; EHC Chair, Lynne Isaacs; Mayor Johnnie Wells; EHC trustee Michael Evamy.
The Wishing Tree
An added bonus was the back of the garden also having been cleared. The path down from the car park now takes you past our Wellness Wishing Tree – clearly an inviting place to rest! Visitors are invited at any time to sit quietly and make wellbeing wishes for themselves or loved ones.
Another New Beginning
The Wellness Garden marks a new stage in our development. It offers our visitors a place to unwind, talk quietly with friends, or relax and reflect in the outdoors. As Lynne said in her speech, when the trustees first visited the run-down building with a view to purchasing it, they envisioned this garden space being renewed.
We have more planned for the space, too, which you can read about on this blog. Those plans include running workshops in the new structure. As you can see, our meditation teacher Silvia Giannelli didn’t waste any time in christening it with her journalling group! A lovely picture from the end of a lovely day – marking another new beginning for the Edward Hain Centre.
In Memoriam: Ron Tulley
This special place is dedicated to the memory of Ron Tulley.
A Friend of the Edward Hain Centre.
A true Gentleman.
As Treasurer of the Friends, Ron helped steer the purchase process during months of negotiation with the NHS. Fair minded and wise, he is very much missed by everyone who’s been involved in creating the Edward Hain Centre.
With our Thanks . . .
🔸 To all who helped make this happen, donating items for our sales and raffle, baking cakes, showing up . . . You are amazing, and we are so grateful for you.
🔸 To all who came, and contributed, raising us a fantastic £580!
🔸 To Johnnie Wells, in one of his last mayoral appearances, who has also showed up for us, again and again.
🔸 To our volunteers, who did a fantastic job in preparing for the event, helping with decorations and general set-up. Many were first-timers – and we are so happy to welcome you aboard! Thank you all, both old hands and new. You are our heart and soul.
🔸 To everyone who contributed photos from the event! (Where would this blog, and our event archives, be without you?)
🔸 To everyone who joined us for The Big Dig, and everyone who supported the project. This garden is yours!
🔸 To Ron, never to be forgotten.
Our new Walled Wellness Garden was made possible by a grant from the LHC Community Benefit Fund in association with Locality. We are extremely grateful to them both.
To read more about them, see our Funding Supporters page.
