Sensory Garden Plymstock

Each group has been responsible for a specific area of the garden with additional financial assistance provided in the form of a Matching Grant from Rotary District 1290. The cost of topsoil and cladding alone for the project has been in excess of 1,000.

The renovation work started back in mid 2013 and this photo gallery shows the evolving garden culminating in the involvement of the RotaKids, the official opening ceremony on 27th February, and a presentation at District Conference the following weekend.

The Lord Mayor was welcomed to the garden by John Brooks, Chairman of Independence South West Trustees who run the home at the official opening ceremony on 27th february 2014. John expressed his thanks on behalf of the disabled people from the home who will be using the garden as a source of both stimulation and connection with nature. The Lord Mayor donated a jasmine plant, which she hoped would flourish and bring joy.

Following the formal opening, Hanna aged 9, the RotaKids President, told the Lord Mayor of the RotaKids pledge -to be fair, to show respect and to serve the community. The Lord Mayor was delighted to meet the RotaKids as she was a Primary School teacher herself before becoming a City Councillor. The children will be returning to the home and garden in weeks to come as part of their community experiences and service. They are particularly excited about the prospect of reinstating the pond in the garden.

All were then invited to the Home where tea and biscuits, made and decorated by the RotaKids, were a delight. Andrea Parker said Friendship and co-operation for the good of the community all part of the ethos of Rotary, Lions, RotaKids and Inner Wheel - was there in abundance.

Particular mention is due to Ted Clarke, President of Plymouth Lions, Ray Foss of Mayflower Rotary, David Hockey of Saltram Rotary, Phil Greenwood and Hugh Baker of Roborough Rotary who undertook the cladding work, Caroline Easton, President of Roborough Rotary who, with the help of her family, moved many tons of topsoil last year, Louise Galloway, the lead teacher for RotaKids at Pomphlett Primary School and Andrea Parker of Roborough Inner Wheel.

We would also like to thank Walter C Parsons who produced the signage for the garden and Frys Nursery who have been a great help with the provision of sensory flowers.