Liz’s Living Wall

Liz’s Living Wall & the Gulliver Garden

By Gary Cox Visit Café @ the Allendale this time of year and you’ll be greeted by the sight of the lovely Living Wall. Volunteer Liz Barge takes care of it, plus the Gulliver Garden at the rear of the Centre. Here, Liz tells us more.

“I’m just a very ordinary gardener so when I was asked to look after the two planters at the front of the Café, I was happy to do it. Then I was asked to create a Living Wall! I took to the computer and asked at nursery gardens, and it’s been trial and error to see what grows well and what doesn’t.

“Then I was asked to fill a planter and attract bees, and at the same time have been trying to form a garden at the back of the Allendale, for those coming to the Community Food Supply to enjoy. The Food Supply is based in the Gulliver Room, so we named the outdoor space the Gulliver Garden. We now have help from the clients, some of whom are coming to the garden to remember loved ones; another has sprayed the weeds, and one of our lovely drivers has been mowing the grass.

“Both spaces are maintained by volunteers and I hope you’ll be able to visit and enjoy them as much as we do.”

Café @ the Allendale wins award

By Gary Cox Congratulations to all at Café @ the Allendale, recent recipients of the Dorset Mind Award at the Wimborne Business Awards. The award recognises the Café for employing staff who face difficulties in one way or another. Congratulations also to Dacombes of Wimborne, with whom the award was shared.