MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE
11
OFFICIAL OPENING FOR THE NEW SENSORY GARDEN
R
adstock and Midsomer Norton Lions club has had a number of successful environmental projects, facilitating litter picks held monthly alternating between Radstock and Midsomer Norton since 2018, and funding a grassroots group, More Trees, for B&NES to grow and plant trees in Bath and North East Somerset in 2020. However, by far the most ambitious project for the club has been its involvement in the creation of a sensory garden with Lions funding the plants and trees within the garden of the new Midsomer Norton Town Park. Earlier in the year the club won the Lions' District Environmental competition in recognition of their work over the last few years. The project has taken a number of years and the development for the whole park will take more years and funding in the future to complete. The land is owned by the Town Council and the site was given to the Town Trust, who now manage the park project where the sensory garden is sited. The idea of a new ‘Town Park’ being developed in Midsomer Norton was put forward by the Midsomer Norton Town Trust in 2017 and approved by BathNES council. The club is delighted that our MP Jacob ReesMogg, along with the Mayor of Midsomer Norton, Lynda Robertson will officially open the sensory garden on Saturday 11th September. The Lions hope that the sensory garden will leave a permanent environmental legacy within the park for the people of Midsomer Norton and Radstock and future generations and that it will appeal to all 5 senses and offer a rich therapeutic experience to people with a range of different needs. The design encourages a protected, stimulating place for people to enjoy simply being, working
and socialising outdoors; a place for reflection and enjoyment. The club would like to thank all of the people involved in this project who have made the Sensory Garden go from an idea into reality. Sarah Oughton, President, Radstock & Midsomer Norton Lions Club