Gloucestershire Hospice unfurls new garden spaces thanks to National Garden Scheme

Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice unveiled a series of newly designed feature gardens last week as part of a summer celebration to thank their funders, the National Garden Scheme.

Through the National Garden Scheme’s generous support the stunning series of garden designs have been brought to life by RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal-winning designer, Peter Dowle, around the grounds of the Cheltenham-based hospice, which is home to the only palliative care inpatient unit in Gloucestershire.

National Garden Scheme Chief Executive, George Plumptre joined Peter and his team from Huntley-based Leaf Creative for an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the new spaces alongside hospice staff and Gloucestershire NGS volunteers.

Garden designer, Peter Dowle, whose grandmother received care at the Gloucestershire hospice, was thrilled to be working on the hospice garden once again, having designed the courtyard area in the main entrance in 2016.

He said: “I designed these new spaces based on the principle that gardens should be a continual path. Pathways are fundamentally the essence of any garden, as it is where the garden unfolds and it is the destination. When pathways work you can change the route you take and you can enjoy completely different views.

“Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice is blessed to have a site where on each visit people can take a different path and enjoy a different view, which is really important when you spending a period of time here and need space to find solace.”

Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice are regular supporters of the National Garden Scheme Open Days scheme. Just last month, the hospice opened its grounds to the public as part of the initiative. Hospice staff and volunteers welcomed over 250 members of the local community to enjoy the newly created garden spaces, which feature a mix of trees, shrubs and an eye-catching rose bank designed to provide year-round colour and interest.

Commenting on the garden’s transformation, National Garden Scheme Chief Executive George Plumptre said: “It’s been really wonderful to come and see the garden and to celebrate with everybody here today.”

“We have a long-standing connection with the hospice movement and actively fund a series of projects set around the theme of gardens and health and wellbeing. This garden, which we’ve helped to grow and support here at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, is a fabulous example of this kind of garden project which will benefit so many people, whether they are patients, family members, or the people who work here, for many, many years to come.”

Elise Hoadley, Service Director of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Hospice said: “For people who are living with a life-limiting illnesses, the time they have is very precious. Thanks to the generous grant from our friends at the NGS, we’ve been able to create a calm, meditative space, full of life, wildlife and colour, which will offer sanctuary for our patients, their families, our volunteers and staff.

“I would also like to say a huge thank you to Peter Dowle and his team, who came up with the stunning designs and helped transform the gardens into this beautiful space, which is full of tranquility, calm and peace.”

Read more about the Gardens and Health Grant of £40,660 from the National Garden Scheme that supported the work at Leckhampton Court Hospice by clicking here

For more information on Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, visit: www.sueryder.org/leckhamptoncourt