Church garden helps recapture the relationship with community and public space

29/05/09

A garden at the front of St Mellitus Church, Hanwell, has been developed with the help of the local community.

Nearby schools have been involved in the design a large sun-shaped mosaic floor, which depicts historic Hanwell places, in the centre of the garden.

The work has been part-funded by Ealing Council as part of its town centre regeneration programme. The Council’s Community Payback Scheme enabled several volunteers serving community service sentences to work on the garden once a week for the past three years.

The Revd John Hereward, Vicar of St Mellitus Church said:

"I am thrilled with the garden, and there have been so many positive comments from people. One said to me the other day that it is going to be the highlight of Hanwell.

"The garden certainly sets off the building, which is a landmark and part of the Hanwell skyline, but it also makes it more welcoming. The gates will be open in daylight hours to allow the public to take advantage of it – a little green oasis along the Uxbridge Road.

"One of the nicest things is the way it has brought people together, with so many locals getting involved – not just the congregation. So many plants have been given to us, which is another way it is truly a community garden."

The community garden was officially opened by the Bishop of Willesden, the Rt Revd Pete Broadbent on 23 May, who said:

"It's great to see public space being opened up by the Church and the community. This garden is a great place of tranquillity and reflection in the middle of busy Hanwell".