Volunteers to create garden of memories in Falinge Park

Volunteers will get to work on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September

Volunteers at Vintage Worx will begin transforming Falinge Park into a ‘Garden of Memories,’ with plans to mow, trim, weed, plant, and mulch 48 flowerbeds as part of the project. The work will take place over Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September from 10am to 4pm, and all are invited to lend a helping hand.

Once completed, the garden will serve as a special sensory space where visitors can reflect on lost loved ones. The garden will also offer the option to place small plaques in memory of those who have passed.

The project was launched in response to community requests, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. Helen and Stephen, the project leaders, have spent months planning the garden, preparing the ground, and planting wildflowers and donated plants.

They have carefully selected flowers to create not only a peaceful sensory area but also to meet the group’s biodiversity and environmental sustainability goals.

Helen explained, "So many people have asked for a Garden of Memories in the park, especially since Covid, but creating something like this is extremely expensive, and we are not a funded group.

"We have undertaken several fundraising activities, but there are a lot of beds to take care of in the park, and we have a lot of building repairs as well. Then, a few months ago, an anonymous benefactor donated the money to buy the plants to create this garden, and we have been busy planning it ever since."

With the community’s involvement central to the initiative, Helen and Stephen are encouraging as many people as possible to participate in the creation of the garden.

Helen added: "We thought the community would like to be involved in creating this, and honestly, a few extra pairs of hands wouldn’t go amiss if we are to complete this before winter. In time-honoured tradition, we have created a community project to do this."

Local groups have already stepped up to assist, with the 7th A Scout Group and Cadets from 1263 Rochdale Squadron Air Training Corps pledging their support. However, more volunteers are still needed to ensure the garden is ready before the colder months set in.

To show their appreciation, Vintage Worx has organised a community cook-out for all volunteers involved in the project.

• If you would like to contribute to this meaningful endeavour, volunteers are invited to meet at the buildings at the top of the drive in Falinge Park at 10am on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September.
• For more information, contact 07760 354698.