Car park transformed into sensory garden

12:24pm Thursday 24th July 2008

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A SMALL concreted car park has been transformed into a haven for the senses by a determined Worcestershire charity.

Worcestershire Association for the Blind (WAB) has spent three months turning a paved area at the Bradbury Centre in Sansome Walk, Worcester, into a sensory garden for visually impaired and deaf people.

The result is a tranquil green space in the heart of the city centre.

The garden project was made possible by a legacy left by former centre user Neil Thomas.

Mr Thomas, of Bevere Drive, Bevere, near Worcester, died in December 2006. The 54-year-old, who was sight-impaired for more than 20 years, was a keen gardener and a plaque dedicated to his memory has been erected in the new garden.

It was officially unveiled by his sister, Ann Walter.

Chris Onions, fund-raising manager for the charity, said Mr Thomas would have appreciated the peace and quiet of outdoor feature.

“The sensory garden will be enjoyed by many users of the Bradbury Centre, both those who knew Neil and those who did not; it will be a project fitting to his memory,” he said.

“It’s a place of relaxation and tranquillity, somewhere for people with sensory impairment to take advantage of the surroundings and experience the smell, sound and touch of fragrant plants, tactile plants and a water feature.

“We’ve been fortunate in getting plants donated by local commercial growers, centre users, volunteers, staff and friends for which we are really grateful.”

Over 3,000 sight impaired adults from across Worcestershire use the independent charity. The Bradbury Centre is used for social activities from cooking classes to computer training.

For more information call the association on 01905 723245 or visit wabsight.org.uk.