The idea
Across the country, many shared green spaces are at risk of decline as public funding becomes more limited. The Garden of Remembrance in Whittington is one such space - quietly important, gently used, and in need of care. Rather than see it fall into further neglect, we’re choosing a different path: one of community stewardship.
This project will tend and improve the garden in a thoughtful, inclusive way. We’ll refresh the paths, replace damaged benches with accessible seating, and plant a mix of perennials, annuals, and shrubs, many grown or donated by residents. These changes will support wildlife, offer calm and connection, and ensure the space remains a place of dignity and welcome for all.
Alongside this we’ll launch Whittington Remembers, a digital archive collecting local stories, photos, and historical research connected to the garden and the wider village. It will hold memory in another form, giving voice to the past while creating new ways to connect across generations.
What we'll deliver
- A border planted with low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly perennials, annuals, and shrubs
- Refreshed gravel paths to improve access through the garden
- Upgraded benches to offer safe, accessible seating
- Two storytelling events to gather memories, local knowledge, and village history
- A public exhibition to share the garden’s story and the voices of the community
- A new digital archive featuring local stories, images, and research linked to the garden and village
- Volunteering opportunities for gardeners & growers
- Volunteering opportunities for storytellers & history lovers
- A refreshed and rejuvenated community space
Why it's a great idea
This project offers a practical, community-led way to care for a space that still matters, not just as a garden but as a place that connects people through time, to each other and to the shared history of the land.
By tending the garden, we’re creating a peaceful, inclusive space that invites people to pause, reflect, and take part in something meaningful. Whether through planting, donating, sharing a story, or simply sitting on a bench - there are many ways to be involved.
At the same time, we’re capturing and preserving local knowledge through Whittington Remembers. As the world becomes increasingly digital, spaces like this remind us that history lives in the land and in each other. By combining physical improvements with storytelling and local heritage, we’re creating something that respects the past, supports wellbeing in the present, and offers something lasting for the future.
Steps to get it done
- Prepare and improve the planting beds with support from local volunteers
- Invite residents to contribute surplus plants or grow seedlings for the garden
- Install new benches
- Plant a mixture of donated and purchased shrubs, perennials, and annuals
- Begin building the Whittington Remembers website and start collecting content
- Host two storytelling events to gather village memories and local knowledge
- Launch the digital archive and hold a local exhibition to share the stories gathered
- Refresh the gravel on the garden paths
