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Part one of the Newbury Peace Garden set to open




It's opening. Well part of it is. The Newbury Peace Garden gets the ribbon cut this Sunday.

West Berkshire Council says it represents “a significant step forward in transforming The Wharf into a biodiverse, inclusive and welcoming part of the town centre”.

“The opening of the Peace Garden marks a proud and transformative moment for Newbury,” said Justin Pemberton, executive member for community engagement, economic development and regeneration and devolution and local government reorganisation

Newbury Peace Garden
Newbury Peace Garden

“It’s a vital part of our vision to reimagine the town centre as a place where people can connect, not just with each other, but with nature and the environment around them.

“This welcoming space is a tribute to thoughtful design and strong partnerships and I’m excited to see it flourish.”

Nearly £800,000 of public money has been spent on it – and only the first phase of the project, which is being opened on Sunday, is complete.

West Berkshire Council is blaming the delays on finishing the section to shore up the canalbank.

It says there are two phases to the tidy up of the open section of land, with the first phase, which has involved cutting down some trees, planting some others and planting a picnic lawn, is now complete.

The project is backed by external grants of £375,000 from the Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership and £420,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – the levelling up fund.

“We are unable to complete Phase 2 at the moment as it’s dependent on finalising the canal sheet piling works,” a council spokesperson told us last week.

“Once the sheet piling work is delivered [repairing works to the canal edge along The Wharf], we can then finalise the Peace Garden Phase 2.”

Phase two involves putting mixed grass in new raised planters for ‘picnics, play and pause’.

The same morning, the Tudor Garden at Shaw House is also unveiled.

Created by horticulturist Andrea Fearon, with volunteer support and delivered by West Berkshire Council’s Community Services team, the garden offers “a contemporary slant on Tudor-era planting”.

The Tudor Garden project was funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

“Both the Tudor Garden and Peace Garden are wonderful examples of how imagination, collaboration and community spirit can come together to transform public spaces,” said Nigel Foot, executive member for culture, leisure, sport and countryside.

“These projects not only honour our heritage but also create calming places where people can gather, relax and connect.”



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