SENSATION ON A SHOESTRING
Kristina created the garden on a shoestring budget of £5,000 in 2017 with the participation of parents, staff and the children themselves. Opened in January 2018 by Great Dixter Head Gardener Fergus Garrett, the tranquil garden offers a peaceful contrast to the bustling playground beyond, a place for the children and their teachers to enjoy the colours, textures and scents of Kristina’s creative planting. The sustainable, low-maintenance design also helps children learn about the environment and develop an interest and love for horticulture. 

Sensory Garden
CREDIT: Abigail Rex

A MAGIC GARDEN
Kristina who is based in Brede said: ‘’This was a really special project to me as both of my children have been at school here; they were involved in building the garden alongside me, as were all the children at the school and many of their parents and teachers – it was a true community effort. I don’t think a garden with such a tiny budget has ever won the Judges Award before,” she said. “I’m very proud of the garden, it took a lot of effort to make it a reality, but we created a piece of magic for the children, teachers and wildlife to enjoy every day.”

School Head Caroline Harvey added: “The children, staff and parents …absolutely love our amazing sensory garden that not only looks stunning all year round, but also provides a haven for our children that supports their learning, play and mental and spiritual well-being. I am thankful to everyone who gave their time, skills and commitment to bringing Kristina’s design to life. We feel very lucky to have such a special garden as a part of our school grounds.”

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE WIDEST SENSE
The award ceremony judges were impressed by the community spirit that helped create the garden and applauded the creation of an exceptional learning space in which to teach children about the environment. They described the project as “sustainable in its widest sense, not only in terms of the use of materials and well-chosen planting, but in terms of its longevity”. Head Judge Richard Sneesby commented that this was perhaps the most important Judge Award they had given in the last decade. “Not only does this illustrate what can be done with a tiny budget and the generosity of people’s time, most importantly it’s really good design. This kind of project we hope is a precedent, we hope that funding bodies will increasingly realise the critical role that these projects bring to early years development, and society as a whole, and that money, and I mean proper money, that pays fees and pays all of our suppliers and everyone to do this, follows these projects.”

HEART (Hastings Emergency Action Resilience Team) are pleased to announce that they are now part of the Conquest 21 Project, restoring and reinvigorating the 21 courtyards of the hospital. The project was started by Fairlight Hall with The Friends Of The Conquest who are working with Great Dixter, the hospital grounds team – and now HEART. They have been allocated Egerton Courtyard and are looking for input, whether it’s design, planting, shifting and lifting or “just getting your hands dirty”! 

Their ‘Grab A Jab’ flyering team have also been out in force promoting the NHS mobile vaccine vans that have been in the town centre and around the local neighbourhoods to make sure those who want a vaccine can get one. They have been really busy and apparently a big hit with the Hastings community. 

HEART is also about to launch its new Home Connect service that offers a free six-week plan of support to help people remain independent and happy in their homes. This could be collecting medicines, getting shopping or maybe just having a chat. They are also ready to help people get connected to services and involved in their local community – a helpful new holistic package from HEART.

A new volunteer explains his experience. Ian, who will be retiring soon, wanted to use the time to be a little help to his community: “I first heard about HEART through a circular on Facebook. I don’t think I’m terribly good at empathy etc. So I thought assisting by driving people here and there and helping deliver for the Foodbank, would be something I could do. Thanks to being introduced to HEART, I also help individuals to attend hospital in Hastings and Eastbourne. Volunteering helps me feel that I am useful in some way. HEART has made me feel
I’m part of a team helping our community and meeting new people.”

But even volunteers need holidays, so after 16 months of being open all week, every week, they are having a well-deserved two-week rest. “It’s time to recharge our batteries ready for more!” says Kim Batty co-founder of HEART, who was recently recognised by media giant Nationbuilder with an #Everyday Leader award. “We’ll be closed for the first two weeks of August. Don’t worry, we will be back on the 16th, fully functioning with bells on.”

• For information on services or volunteering visit www.hastingsheart.com

The job took two days, one to prepare the soil and another to plant with mixed wallflowers to give the sign a cheerful, welcoming feel. Wallflowers have a wonderful scent and are also a food source for moths and night-time flying insects, which are in decline.

Wildflower renaissance

Ore in Bloom is also developing wildflower verges in Ore, with help from the Lund Trust and Fairlight Hall gardeners.

This is a key way to help local species, long is beautiful rather than messy. People can help wildlife by leaving a patch of their own lawn to grow uncut too – great habitat and less work.

Future plans

Fergus Garrett of Great Dixter is to judge next year’s ‘Ore in Bloom’ competition. Start getting your garden ready over the next two seasons and plant some bulbs.

Ore in Bloom’s online, virtual AGM will be held on Saturday 7th  November 10.30-11.30am

• If you’d like to help out with Ore in Bloom get in touch by messaging them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/oreinbloom or visit www.lundtrust.org.uk