When Darren asked a valuable staff member in her annual review what else she would like to do, she replied, left of field, that she would love to revitalise the sensory garden in Cae Glas Park, which had been abandoned because of lack of funding some years ago.
The project was given the go-ahead and Julie was tasked with working with Park Attendant, Mike Harding, to design a planting scheme for the area. Coversure agreed to sponsor the cost of buying the plants and maintaining the site, initially over 2012 but also beyond.
Working with the park staff, and also the Flower Gallery, who wholeheartedly joined in on the scheme and provided the flowers at cost price, the Coversure team also dug and planted the site with a sensory bouquet of Lemon Grass, Whispering Oats, Hebe’s, Fuchsias and Sweet Williams along with herbs such as Thyme, Lavender, Rosemary, Curry-mint, Eucalyptus, Spearmint, Apple-mint, Pineapple-mint, Sage, Chives, Basil, Parsley and Fennel.
A sensory garden is a most wonderful place, the scents of the herbs and flowers, the gentle buzz of bees collecting pollen and nectar, basking in the warmth of a summer sun, can have a truly beneficial effect on those who wander through it or simply sit to enjoy.
While the garden was primarily designed to provide visually impaired and disabled visitors a chance to relax and experience the scent of the flowers and the feel of the leaves, it also helps the wider community enjoy nature, and not just humans. Bees, butterflies and other winged beings all benefit from such a lovely plot, as do birds and mammals.
So a valued employee has an idea, backed by her company, who, in partnership with the park, and the local flower shop create a space that we can all enjoy, and which enhances our park, ourselves, our wildlife and our town.
