Southmead Memorial Garden: Help us Plant for Spring – next Wednesday 11th March

Do you know about the remembrance garden in Southmead? It was created in 2003 to remember three young men who lost their lives – Wayne Goldsmith in 2000, and Alan Stephens and Lee Webb in 2001.

Southmead youth worker at the time, Billy Cockram, along with the help of young people from what was then the youth club, designed and made the garden. Not only was it intended as a special place to remember the three much loved Southmead young men, but also as a space for peace and reflection, a quiet space for rest and thinking.

Thanks to the passion of Southmead residents like Billy, who have continued to maintain the garden, we want to make sure the garden continues as a special place in Southmead well into the future.  Billy is committed to keep working in the garden and hopes it will become a sensory space with a variety of plants – full of colour, smells, and textures throughout the year.  Also, that it can become fully accessible for wheelchair users.

We had our first new planting session last November. It was lovely to see a wonderful team of volunteers making it happen, and even two dogs came to ‘paw-ticipate’ and keep us in good company!

Everyone is invited to the spring planting session next week, on Wednesday 11th March, from 1 – 3.30pm.  Meet at the Remembrance Garden, Ullswater road, opposite St Stephens Church, BS10 6DP.

Dress for the weather and if you have a pair of gardening gloves do bring them along. There will be hot cuppas to go round.

We look forward to seeing you there and if you have any questions please contact me, tel: 0117 950 3335 or email: evepayne@southmead.org.