A new community garden in Peasedown St John has been created to support those living with dementia.

The project, launched in the summer of 2018, has been twelve months in the making and nears completion thanks to the dedication of a handful of volunteers.

Nathan Hartley, who co-ordinates the village’s ‘Dementia Friendly’ initiative and project-managed the garden, said: “Our new community garden has something for everyone. In particular it is dementia-friendly – so it will help to engage people’s senses of sight, smell, touch, and sound.

“I am grateful to everyone that has played a part in creating this special space. Dementia is on the rise, so the more we can do to create dementia-friendly communities, the better it is for everyone.”

The project was funded through a £500 grant from Curo and another £500 grant from international food producer, Apetito.

Volunteers from Peasedown St John Residents’ Association, Dementia Friendly Peasedown, Peasedown St John Cubs and St John’s Church all took part in weeding, cutting, nailing, planting and landscaping over the last twelve months. Both Karen Bourne and Luke McCafferty from Canon & Sons Ltd were instrumental in the project’s success.

On Monday afternoon, community leaders, volunteers and councillors gathered to celebrate all the work that has been put in to the garden, which is located right outside the village’s new Community Library at 33a St John’s Close, BA2 8JG.

Anyone is welcome to visit the Community Garden. It is free to use and open to the public.