A sensory garden created purposefully for visually impaired people in Harrogate was officially opened today.
Spenceley Gardens on Station Parade in Harrogate was refurbished in a joint initiative between Harrogate Borough Council, RHS Garden Harlow Carr and Vision Support Harrogate District.
The gardens, which were originally created in 1973 after the land was gifted to the council by Alderman George Spenceley, has been planted with grasses and herbs to create a sensory area. Braille plaques have been installed to help visually impaired people identify the various plants.
Harrogate borough mayor, Councillor Victoria Oldham and deputy lord-lieutenant Simon Mackness opened the site today.
Councillor Sam Gibbs, the council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:
“I’m delighted to see Spenceley Gardens has been given a new lease of life. The Harrogate district is internationally recognised for its horticultural offering and this sensory garden perfectly complements that.”
The new garden was designed by Phil Keesing and planted by a team of horticulturists from RHS Harlow Carr with the support of students, following funding from local resident Patricia Swallow.
A new sign for the garden has also been designed and provided by Vision Support Harrogate.
Herbs in the garden include sage, rosemary, thyme and southernwood.
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Paul Cook, curator at RHS Garden Harlow Carr said:
“A key part of the RHS vision is to enrich everyone’s life through plants and so we wanted to create a garden full of flowers, herbs and grasses that heighten the senses of smell, touch and sound to ensure the garden is a truly immersive experience for visually impaired people to enjoy.
Who was George Spenceley?
Nick, Julian and Adrian Spenceley, grandchildren of George Spenceley, said in a statement:
“Our grandfather, George Albert Spenceley is fondly remembered by all of us.
“His abiding loves were music and gardens and helped establish the Harrogate cultural scene after the war, inviting Sir John Barbirolli and the Halle Orchestra up to perform in the town.
“Setting up the sensory garden was typical of the warm-hearted, generous grandad we knew. He was to pass away just two years after the garden was established, so this was the last public act he performed.
“He would be delighted to see that they have now got a new lease of life.”
