Sun shines brightly on garden festival
SHOPPERS stopped to sun themselves in the grounds of a town church which are being turned into a community garden.
St Mary’s Church in Hinckley town centre hosted a two-day garden festival, welcoming people to enjoy music, talks and acitvities with an outdoor theme.
There were composting workshops for grown-ups and children - where the focus was on the hardworking insects carrying out the composting process - led by members of Leicestershire Council’s Master Composters scheme.
Youngsters also had the chance to decorate pots and everyone was invited to sit and listen to live music or unwind under the tuition of a Tai Chi instructor.
Inbal Bland, one of the event co-ordinators, said: “The idea was to get people to realise the potential of the space.
“It was brilliant weather thankfully.
“I think (people) enjoyed the music while sitting at the playground or in the Mead and we managed to hand out plenty of leaflets while people were passing through and looking.”
Plans to develop the churchyard as a garden, while conserving it as a green space and boosting its environmental credentials, were given public backing in a consultation process last year.
Volunteers have planted bulbs and a tidy-up day is planned, with long-term ideas including new seating and more densely planted areas to benefit people, insects and other wildlife.