25/04/22: Refurbishment plans announced for Queen Mother's Garden

Breckland Council and Dereham Town Council have released the proposed designs to refurbish the Queen Mother's Garden in Dereham.

As part of Breckland Council's Thriving Places programme, aimed at supporting town centres to thrive and prosper, both councils have been working together on plans for The Queen Mother's Garden in Dereham. The garden, set between St Withburga Lane and the High Street, will undergo a refurbishment later during this year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, with a reopening ceremony planned for Autumn 2022.

The garden is the only one named after The Queen Mother in the country and was opened by her in 1983. To commemorate her life, there will be a Queen Mother's planting bed in the heart of the gardens, including Queen Mother clematis and agapanthus plants.

Other planned features of the refurbished gardens are:

• New picnic benches made from recycled material with wheelchair positions.
• New wheelchair-friendly paths throughout.
• A bench with integral games boards.
• Sensory planting areas.
• New security systems to combat any anti-social behaviour issues.
• A new access path from the Meeting Point dementia support centre.

Cllr Paul Hewett, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Property and Projects, said: "It's very appropriate that we're seeing a refurbishment of the Queen Mother's Garden in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year, and these are exciting plans. The ambition is to make the garden a green space in the centre of Dereham that will be attractive and accessible to all users, enabling our residents and our visitors to thrive."

Cllr Alison Webb, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Housing, Health and Communities and representing ward members on the project, said: "I'm pleased that we've been able to work with the town council to achieve this exciting project at the heart of the community of Dereham. Linking with our Inspiring Communities and Thriving Places programmes this central space will enable residents and visitors to Dereham to meet, reflect and relax as well as provide a venue that will be suitable for public events."

Stuart Green, the Mayor of Dereham, said: "We're delighted to be investing in this beautiful green space in the heart of Dereham, and very pleased to be working with Breckland Council to develop these plans to make the garden an accessible and attractive place for residents and visitors to our town. I look forward to seeing it become part of our celebrations of this very special Platinum Jubilee year."

The refurbishment of the garden is being funded by Breckland Council's Market Town Initiative, Dereham Town Council, and S106 funds. The tender for the main contract to develop the gardens based on these plans will be open for applications from 28 April, and interested contractors are invited to apply through our website.