The community Walled Garden at Llanfrechfa Grange in Cwmbran has opened to the public.
Last Saturday (30 April 2022) trustees, volunteers and associate members, donors and supporters from a range of public bodies, organisations, local businesses and the local community attending the official opening ceremony.
The ribbon was cut by Dr David Hepburn, consultant in intensive care at the Grange University Hospital. The renovated and redesigned former derelict Victorian garden has been transformed by the Friends of Llanfrechfa Grange Walled Garden, the charity that manages the garden.
He said: “The health and wellbeing benefits derived from being outside, especially in a beautiful and peaceful environment, are well documented. Over the last few years access to outside space has been even more important. I am therefore delighted that the new hospital has been sited next to this lovely garden and that it will be open for all to enjoy. What an amazing resource!”
The garden is on land in between the former Llanfrechfa Grange Hospital and the new Grange University Hospital. Visitors can enjoy the garden every day.
VIDEO: The opening ceremony of the Walled Garden at Llanfrechfa Grange in Cwmbran
A spokesperson for the Friends of Llanfrechfa Grange, said: “Originally the kitchen garden attached to Grange House when it was a private manor, the garden was later used for therapeutic horticulture for residents when the Grange became a learning disabilities hospital. When clients were resettled into the community in the 1990s the garden became unused and fell derelict, until 2013, when a small group of staff at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board suggested it be made into a community garden.
“The health board agreed and following a period of stakeholder engagement to field ideas for its development, a formal community group with charitable aims was formed to take this forward. In 2017 the group applied to the Charity Commission for England and Wales and became an established charity called Friends of Llanfrechfa Grange Walled Garden.
“Work to clear the undergrowth and derelict buildings commenced in 2015 and development of a new layout got underway.”
Jan Smith, chair of the charity, said there is a bit more work to be done but the trustees wanted to open it so hospital staff, visitors and people from the local community could enjoy its benefits.
The charity aims to continue hosting a number of events throughout the year, such as the national ‘Have a Grow’ day in June and seasonal activities such as fetes and Christmas craft fairs. They also plan to restart some therapeutic horticultural activities in the future.
Information about the Llanfrecha Grange Walled Garden
The charity relides on relies on grants, fundraising events and membership fees. New members are always welcome.
Visit the charity’s website or Facebook page if you want to get involved or email [email protected]
The garden’s address is Llanfrechfa Grange, Cwmbran, NP44 8YN.