Timber edging was fitted around the lawn and the bare areas reseeded and the borders revitalised with peat free compost.

Various plants, fuchsias, osteospernums, meconopsis and many more were purchased and donated by the public and planted. These, along with some seasonal planting provide a colourful display for all to enjoy.

Thanks to Amy a student who came along and helped. No one could ever call the ladies ‘fair-weather’ gardeners (wouldn’t dare men were outnumbered when working there).

Torbay Council Parks Department placed a sign on the centre entrance pillar to the Rose Garden on December 3rd 2007.

It reads: Rose Garden - A Public Park This area was improved by volunteers from St Marychurch and District Action Group and Abbey road Resource Centre in partnership with Torbay council and Plandscape as part of a Torbay in Bloom project. If you would like further information please contact 01803 207992

Thanks to Dougie a gentleman who became interested in the garden improvements and offered to paint an iron entrance gate and help. He later became a member of the action group and regularly helps out on this and other projects.

Improvements Continue

Since then action group volunteers have dug out vast quantities weeds, wild garlic and ground ivy rampant throughout the garden and clear the vast amounts of shrub overgrowth. Much of the waste material was taken away for recycling however a composting area has now been constructed.

In the semi-shaded area, as part of the Safer Places programme, the high, ageing, woody, and overgrown shrubs which gave a gloomy impression (some residents commented that they found it forbidding) were removed. They also obscured the view across the garden. The redesigning of this area is part of the many phases of planned improvements.

If and when funding become available the proposed plans for the area include constructing five sturdy raised treated timber flowerbeds and four timber benches. All would be arranged in a circle within the shaded tree area and the ground surfaced with gravel. Torbay Payback Service has offered to help with gravelling and construction of the timberwork. Perhaps later install a piece of artwork in the centre. The raised beds would be planted out with semi-shade tolerant plants such as hellebore hybrids, athyrium, liriope, and geranium phaeum.

The mass of ivy, which covered the stone-wall and pillared entrance into the central rose bed area, has been removed. Many rose cuttings were taken and have rooted, thus increasing the stock in the central rose bed. Ornamental grasses have been planted in one of the borders, and hundreds of daffodils, narcissi, tulips, and grape hyacinths bulbs planted out.

The cistus and lavender hedging in two beds near the road is kept trimmed, (alterations are planned for these beds). Two park benches were refurbished by Torbay Probationary service and a donated hardwood seat positioned near the rose beds.

Huge amount of overgrown euonymus, hypericum and other shrubs which dwarfed the far end of the rose bed area has  been removed. Plandscape contractors cut back and shredded the green material which was used as mulch on site.

Not only has this part of the garden increased in size the residents of a neighbouring residential home now have a clear view of the garden and the their windows more daylight. Barry and teams from the Community Payback Service garden worked on improvements to this and other areas of the garden.

Creating the lawn and flower borders at the cleared section at the far end of the rose bed area, constructing two small connecting crazy paved paths and preparing additional rose bed.

Shrubs next to the lawn on the corner plot Babbacombe Road side removed those suitable replanted in other locations.

Work continues on the flower borders. The extend main lawn and new lawn is flourishing, linking pathways in the rosebed area completed and a large composting area with path and fenced access has been constructed. Pathways re-surfaced with gravel and semi-shaded area cleared (for the time being seeded with woodland plants). Dougie repaired the stone walls, water soak-away, painted the gate and fitted wire supports on the walls for climbing plants and roses. Thanks to Andrew who drilled the holes in the stone walls for the wire supports. Edna a local historian chats with Dougie about the work on the garden.

Dougie and his granddaughter Bryony weeding a flower border his son Andrew fitted edging boards and gravel the pathway leading to the compost area also made and installed three bird boxes. Volunteers weeding the flower borders. Thanks to Torbay Council for the water butt, which will be of great help during the summer months as there is no mains water supply to the garden.