Strawberry Tea Celebrations

A year of therapeutic gardening at St Mary’s was celebrated recently with a Strawberry Tea, attended by more than 100 people. A grant from the John Ellerman Foundation has funded the development of this activity. Caroline Glading, Day Therapies Manager, said ‘as we ‘bring the outside in’ with the completion of the orangery, horticultural projects are inter-weaving with other therapies to offer patients and those who care for them new opportunities to benefit from our beautiful site’.

The afternoon included a presentation about the horticultural project and a film was shown describing St Mary’s services for the community. About £700 was raised from raffles, and cake and plant stalls.

Mary James, Gardens Co-ordinator, said ‘people have been incredibly kind over the last year in donating plants, equipment and time to ensure a successful start to an activity that will now be a permanent feature at St Mary’s. We are always grateful for volunteers to help maintain the beauty of the hospice gardens. They are open for people at any time to enjoy the tranquillity and peace they will find there’.