‘WE NO LONGER WANT IT TO BE A SECRET GARDEN’
Peaceful site boosts community wellbeing
A FLOURISHING spot once known as ‘the secret garden of Leek’ now wants to welcome visitors to share its scenic and peaceful premises.
The John Hall Garden, in Fowlchurch Road near Brough Park Leisure Centre, is now inviting members of the public to take a gentle stroll around the gardens. Staff are also selling plants and flowers they have grown.
The premises has, over the years, supported people with mental health issues. Zaneta Jackson, who leads the garden side of the project, said: “We don’t want to be a secret garden, as we are open to everyone.
“We lost our contract to run the floating support service at the gardens and were threatened with the prospect of possibly having to close the gardens as a service to support people with mental illness.
“Thankfully Rethink were able to secure funding to start a new project to run the gardens as a wellbeing community garden, which is very exciting. The gardens will now be open to the public six days a week from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm.
“We are hoping to move to self-funding and are looking at donations, sponsorship and attracting volunteers.
“We grow our own plants and flowers which will be offered for sale. “We are also looking at more activities taking place on the site with many ideas forming.
“The gardens are so peaceful and calm, and visitors can’t believe we are near a recycling centre.
“We also have beehives on the site as there are talks of Leek becoming a bee-friendly town as part of the climate change projects.
“In the future we are looking to open a community-led cafe and hope to get funding to improve the toilet facilities.”
The site has been renamed The John Hall Wellness Garden. Engagement officer Alban Sharples said: “We hope to get access to the garden from Brough Park. Schools are also very interested in the gardens and come down each week.” Fellow engagement officer Sue Smith said: “It is now recognised how important gardens can be to people following the pandemic.
“The gardens will bring the community together as we want people to visit us and we would also like some volunteers to get involved with us on the site.”
■ For further information people can telephone 01538 387111 or just pop in for a visit and a stroll around the gardens.