A view of part of the completed garden. Photo: Trish Carn.
Garden redesign nears completion
Work is continuing apace on the garden at Friends House
The latest phase of the Friends House garden redevelopment is close to completion, according to Britain Yearly Meeting.
The garden re-opened at the end of April, following months of building work and landscaping. The project was prompted by the need to install an electricity substation at Friends House. Subsequent work has made the building more accessible. Gentle slopes replace steep ramps and a lift enables all visitors to access the lower ground floor and restaurant.
Among the highlights of the new garden is a pathway carved with a timeline of more than twenty dates highlighting Quaker history through three centuries. Young Friends have created a time capsule, which will be buried in the garden on Sunday 29 May, during Yearly Meeting.
Quaker and horticulturalist Wendy Price took her inspiration for the garden from the poetry of Waldo Williams, quoted in Quaker faith & practice 21.33. His reference to light and fields in In Two Fields spoke to her about early Quakers.
Existing mature trees have been joined by magnolias and olive trees (symbols of peace), and blossoming amelanchier lamarckii (emblematic of native Americans).
