In 1999, the first Greenfingers garden was opened at Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Sittingbourne by Greenfingers founding president, Richard Jackson. Now, 25 years later, Richard and the team return to the hospice to officially open the 66th Greenfingers garden.
This new garden space, designed by Andrew Fisher Tomlin & Dan Bowyer from multi-award-winning garden designers Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer, has been made a reality thanks to a team of Greenfingers supporters, including Millbrook Garden Centres, The Peter Harrison Foundation, The Worshipful Company of Inn Holders, The Childwick Trust and Clarins. Baylis Landscapes also worked tirelessly to ensure that every corner of the garden offered a new perspective to the children, staff, family, and friends who would spend time there.
To mark the official opening, the Demelza team, including Deputy CEO Hayley Richardson, were joined by representatives from the Greenfingers Charity. This included the charity’s newest ambassador, Fiona Dolman, star of ITV’s Midsomer Murder, who shared a few words regarding the importance of such garden spaces and their positive impact on those who spend time in them.
Cutting the ribbon were Fiona, Greenfingers Chairman, Sue Allen alongside Demelza’s Hayley Richardson, as well as Elke who is supported by Demelza, and her mum, Glynnis.
Talking about the new garden, Hayley said: “Outside space is incredibly important at Demelza - throughout the grounds, we have different spaces for different things, from fun and play to reflection and remembrance to adventure and making memories.
“A huge thanks go out to the team at Greenfingers - and their supporters - for funding this beautiful wildlife garden, which will be enjoyed by children, families, volunteers and staff for many years to come.”
Now that the garden is open, children supported by Demelza, and their families, will get to enjoy a fully accessible outdoor space. A haven for wildlife the garden features a bog garden, wild meadow area pollinators and a bug hotel. Peppered throughout the garden includes some wonderful gifts in kind, including a bench from Cyan, bulbs from Taylor’s Bulbs and Jub Bulbs, turf from the experts at Rolawn, bird and bat boxes from Deco-Pak and, from the Royal Entomological Society, bug panels that first appeared in the society’s 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden, designed by Tom Massey.
Sue Allen, Greenfingers Chair said: “I was delighted when we were invited to support Demelza again and, having stood here 25 years ago at the very first Greenfingers garden opening, it is wonderful to hear just how much the gardens mean to the entire hospice community. On behalf of all at Greenfingers Charity, I would like to say thank you to the designers, Andrew and Dan for their creativity and vision. And to the team from Baylis Landscapes who worked so hard to bring this garden to life. I must also thank the many friends of Greenfingers, for their donations and so much more to support this special project. The transformation is amazing, and we are so pleased that this is now an inclusive and accessible space. We know that it will be enjoyed by all those who spend time here.”
