An exciting new addition to Newcastle West Demesne’s landscape began to take shape in Chartres de Bretagne Park when a mini digger went to work on Monday to prepare the ground of the raised area for a Garden of Reflection.
Spearheaded and planned by Newcastle West Tidy Towns, the garden will include a space for contem-plation surrounded by fragrant plants chosen to encourage small wildlife such as butterflies and many interesting insects and birds.
The garden was the brain-child of Mary Mackey, Secretary of Tidy Towns. After reading about the Milford Care Centre’s Compassionate Com-munities Seed Grants, Mary saw the potential for the improvement of a neglected corner of the Demesne. From that first thought a plan took shape which would see the creation of a haven for people and wildlife. The Seed Grant application was successful and the €500 award got things moving.
The Tidy Towns committee has been pleasantly sur-prised by the enthusiastic reaction of many individ-uals and groups who have joined in to assist. There have been commitments of labour from Arra Development (Fás), Tús, Gateway, and several individuals with specialist equipment. Financial help towards the construction and planting has come from a number of people including generous contributors to a church gate collection. Paving stones have been donated as well as other materials.
Brothers of Charity service users are looking forward to the garden’s completion, as they will be involved in maintaining the garden in the future.