Nature Friendly Garden Rocks up in time for Coronation Festivities #Blog

Victoria Hayes
4th April 2023

A modest project to create outdoor dining at the rear of The Black Bear in Whitchurch, at the top of the town’s thriving high street, has turned into a labour of love for the pub Housekeeper, a retired mental health nurse.

The combined skills of a talented horticulturist and a retired mental health nurse, in a pub car park has resulted in a fragrant, nature friendly garden.  Attractive to butterflies and bees, the garden contains over 100 plant species alongside the history of St Alkmunds Church.  This charming sanctuary has become a regular stopping place for new and regular visitors to Whitchurch.

The garden is designed by Michael Kemp who has a long history in horticulture. Michael worked closely with an enthusiastic team of workers and supporters, when lockdown ended, to reclaim site materials, source seeds and plants to transform the former carpark.

“Plants are picked for fragrance and colour through the seasons,” says Michael. 

Garden plantsman, qualified florist and NAFAS demonstrator, modest Michael grew up on a market garden in Kent and throughout his career has managed many outstanding floral displays nationally including St James’s Palace, Ham House and other National Trust properties.  Before taking up his present role, Michael gardened nationally including almost 30 years for the late Lady Heald, Vice President of The National Gardens Scheme at Chilworth Manor in Surrey, and more recently for Daily Telegraph columnist, writer, lecturer and broadcaster Stephen Lacey.

“Michael and Lynne are a great team,” says Manager, Gemma, who is looking forward to sharing plans of outdoor festivities set for the King’s Coronation Weekend and other summer celebrations.

Housekeeper, Lynne Gilmore, a retired nurse, has eagerly adopted the daily maintenance of the new garden as part of her daily round, sowing seeds, cultivating plants, weeding and hoeing.  Rolling Stones fan, Lynne is affectionately known as “Lady Jag”, and takes on her new role with loving care.  When she receives the call, Lady Jag rocks into action to supply fresh herbs from the garden to flavour foods cooked by chefs in the kitchen as well as for cocktails on the bar.

“The garden is totally absorbing, where everyone’s good health is boosted,” says Lynne, who is in remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and confesses her recent brush with cancer has given her a whole new outlook to life.  “This place has become a little heaven,” she smiles. 

The new garden haven is a place and space where relaxation and timeout are all part of the daily agenda.  It has become the talk of the town.  Climbing roses, Clematis, Honeysuckle and Wisteria thrive as the nearby church clock strikes the hour.  Ferns, grasses, trees and shrubs wave gently in the breeze as the bustle of regular town trading continues.

If you fancy a trip up Whitchurch High Street – to visit the new garden, you’ll receive a great welcome.  The team are busy finalising preparations to offer extra special activities to mark His Royal Highness King Charles III Coronation Weekend 5^th – 8^th May 2023, in their new blooming great garden space.  Lynne is nurturing sunflower seeds – all ready to sell her plants in aid of Lymphoma Action Support.