Community Wellbeing Garden

Councillor Andrew Neil, Chair of Wickford Town Council, opened the Community Wellbeing Garden at St Andrew's Wickford this morning. The Ven Susan Lucas, Archdeacon of Southend also spoke as part of our opening event.

Local Elvis tribute act, John King, performed at St Andrew's Wickford as part of our Community Wellbeing Garden opening event. The inclement weather meant John had to perform in the church, rather than the garden, as originally planned. Regardless, a great time was had by all as John performed a selection of Elvis' greatest hits.

The Community Wellbeing Garden is a green space for contemplation, reflection and observation of nature in an area immediately behind the Town Centre shops for use by those coming into the Town. The project provides additional green space for the Town to enhance wellbeing. The garden has apple, cherry and fig trees, new planting beds created using donated gabions, a bug hotel and other accessories to encourage wildlife, and a summer seating area on a patio outside the St Andrew's Centre.

All of the garden furniture and planting beds has been donated, while the landscaping of the space has been funded through a grant from the National Lottery's Community Fund. The following organisations have all provided invaluable support of this project: Alexander Landscapes; Friends of Wickford Memorial Park; Meadowcroft Nursery; National Lottery Community Fund; New Life Wood; Perrywood Garden Centres, Probation Service; Rayleigh Turf Supply; Wickford in Bloom; Wickford Town Council; and Wickford Wildlife Association.

The space will be available for use by the community as well as users of our coffee morning and community groups, and those who hire our facilities. We are looking for additional volunteers to help tend the garden going forward.

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Elvis Presley - How Great Thou Art.