Sensory Garden
The Sensory Garden project has been funded through the Community Spaces programme. The Community Spaces grants programme is being managed by Groundwork UK as an Award Partner to the Big Lottery Fund. Community Spaces is part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces initiative.The Sensory Garden began as an idea during the summer of 2008, but it was not until June 2009 that a grant of £45,000 was secured and planning in detail could begin. The design was drawn up by Tim Metcalfe-Kemp, a member of the Forum who is also an experienced horticulturalist and landscaper.
The design for the Sensory Garden originally featured the Horse Chestnut tree as a focal point and forms a circular shape between the path and the river bank. As the tree was identified as diseased, but knowing that it had been grown from a seedling from the original Horse Chestnut which was planted when the park was opened in 1924, the Forum considered the best option was to commission a local sculptor to produce a structure based on a Isaac Newton theme using the remaining trunk of the tree. Nigel Sardeson worked on site during June 2010 to create the Hand and prepared the Apple – carved from Elm with the contours of the world on its surface- in his workshop.
Having read about the project in articles published by The Journal, a local Tree Care Specialist, Paul Bavin, offered his services to fell three small trees that had to be removed for the project. A number of local residents were prompted to bring photographs and relate memories of Wyndham Park as a result of this project.
The project contract was undertaken by John Martin Hoyes Ltd, with a team from Groundwork Lincolnshire acting as Project Manager.
Involvement of local Primary Schools and the Alzheimer’s Society in bulb planting, is the start of a programme of events linked to the Park in an attempt to get a greater variety of people using this beautiful park.
Work on the garden was completed by the end of July and a special Launch was held on July 25th 2010, with the Sculpture (Isaac’s Apple) unveiled by the Deputy Mayor.