Fernhurst celebrated the official opening of its new Medicinal Garden at Fernhurst GP Surgery on 1st July. Attended by the medical staff from both Fernhurst Surgery and Haslemere Health Centre, district councillors, Brett Burkhart and Eleanora Newbry, Fernhurst Parish Councillors, sponsors, Russell Shellard of Bramdean Construction, Andrea Webb (Aprimula Design), members of Fernhurst Horticultural Society (FHS) and local residents.
The project began when FHS member, Linda Lawes noticed that the flowerbeds by the busy thoroughfare of Fernhurst GP Surgery had become overgrown, with ageing shrubs in need of replacement. She thought it would be a real asset to the surgery to create a wonderful green space. FHS set up a dedicated group to develop the area into a Medicinal Garden. The GP Surgery enthusiastically supported the initiative from the outset.
Local building company Bramdean Construction played a vital role by providing labour to clear the site and donate topsoil. “Without Bramdean’s support starting the project would have been an enormous challenge,” said Hilary Hayward, Chair of the Medicinal Garden group. Volunteers from the FHS and village residents then came together to prepare and plant the garden.
The garden was designed by sponsor and Fernhurst resident, Andrea Webb, Garden Designer of Aprimula Design. Andrea brought together a collection of medicinal plants that have been used over the centuries for traditional medicine. Keen to involve younger members of Fernhurst, Andrea and Medicinal Garden group member Claudia Vargas, also worked with Fernhurst Cub Scouts to create bee homes from recycled drinks cans and plastic bottles, providing habitats for pollinators.
Plant donations came from FHS members, village residents and from some of Andrea’s gardening clients, while Fernhurst Parish Council supported the project’s environmental aims with a grant for water butts to collect rainwater for watering the new garden.
Claudia Vargas commented; “Whenever I am out there watering, people always stop and express an interest in the flower beds and the plants.” Theresa Kennedy, Chair of the FHS added; “It has really caught the imagination of the local residents, it is marvellous to see how a small project can be so widely appreciated”.
Top image: Andrea Webb (Garden Designer of Aprimula Design)
