Queen’s College, Taunton, a leading day and boarding school for children aged 1-18 in the heart of the South West, proudly announces its sponsorship of a transformative therapeutic Memory Garden designed by a team including Old Queenian (alumna) Lucy Allen. This initiative underscores Queen’s College’s commitment to community engagement and partnership while supporting the invaluable work of St. Margaret’s Hospice.

The Memory Garden will be showcased at two prominent events: the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (3 – 5 May 2024) and The Bath and West Show (30 May – 1 June 2024). These exhibitions provide an ideal platform to raise awareness and promote the therapeutic benefits of the garden to a wide audience. Lucy Allen, an acclaimed garden designer, is working with a team including Nigel Cox, a highly experienced horticulturist and former Head of Land and Environmental Services at Bridgwater and Taunton College; Alex Hale, an experienced Landscape Gardener and former Silver Medal winner at the BBC Gardeners World Spring Fair; and Sue Williams, an experienced gardener and former St. Margaret’s Hospice carer. Bringing their collective expertise and passion to the creation of this garden, Lucy and her team aim to provide a therapeutic oasis for individuals with dementia and those nearing life’s end. Drawing inspiration from traditional gardens, the Memory Garden will feature old-fashioned plants such as forget-me-nots, sweet peas, and clematis, evoking nostalgia and familiarity for visitors, particularly residents of St. Margaret’s Hospice

As part of the collaborative effort, residents of St. Margaret’s Hospice will contribute to the garden’s ambience by painting pebbles which will adorn the garden’s pathways. “We are thrilled to support this visionary project,” said Julian Noad, Head of Queen’s College. “St Margaret’s Hospice is close to the heart of many of the Queen’s community. Furthermore, at Queen’s, we believe in fostering strong community ties and nurturing partnerships that make a positive impact.”

After the Bath and West Show, the garden will be donated to St. Margaret’s Hospice to improve its garden space for the residents, ensuring that its legacy continues to provide comfort and joy for years to come.

Queen’s College, the family school of choice in the South West, offers a nurturing environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. By sponsoring the Memory Garden, Queen’s reaffirms its commitment to community wellbeing and collaboration.