It’s taken lots of hard gardening by the community in Gunnislake and now it’s nearly time for planting. A sloping bank on the A-road side of St Anne’s Church has been rescued from disuse, brambles and ivy to a new lease of life. With the help of church members and Gunnislake Community Matters volunteers, a community memorial garden is forming. It’s on a prime site as you come down the hill into the village and when the planting has been completed, everyone will be able to enjoy the colourful shrubs and trees. One way the community is invited to be involved, if not through gardening, is to donate money to the planting fund in memory of a loved one. A memorial plaque will list all the names. They don’t have to have lived in the parish.
The Rector, Rev Chris Painter recently planted the first small tree, a hawthorn – Cratageus Paul’s Scarlet, with double, light red flowers – supported by a recent congregation. He said, “We wanted to improve the appearance of the church in Gunnislake and also involve the community. It’s worked out really well. Regular teams of gardeners have slogged through the winter to clear the area and we’re really grateful for their help. We hope it will become a special place to enjoy nature and remember our loved ones.”
GCM have initiated the Royal Horticultural Society It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme in Gunnislake and the organiser, Carol Green, said, “This memorial garden project fits in perfectly with the RHS scheme as it involves all the community, either through gardening, giving or simply by enjoying the newly-created growing space in the heart of the village.”
To donate towards the planting please contact Mary Deacon on 01822 833031 or email: a.deako2@gmail.com.
