Bohemia Village Voice

Judy Clark (right) showing visitors the overgrown walled garden

The Bohemia Walled Garden Association held an Open Day at their site in Summerfields Woods on 18th July, to show interested visitors the potential of the project. Sue Thomson, Judy Clark and Bob Hart were on hand to welcome people to the neglected walled garden in the woods behind the Law Courts and to explain the BWGA’s aims and vision.
The initial stage is to obtain enough funding to repair the damaged area of the surrounding wall, and to repair and repoint the stone and brick facade. Darren Pooley of the Construction Department at Hastings College said he was very keen to get involved with his students in the restoration work. Once this is done, the land inside can be restored to its former glory, demonstrating the growing of vegetables and fruit. The BWGA says the garden will show “that reduced physical capability, partial sight and deafness need not necessarily be a barrier.”
The food grown could be for personal use or sold locally. Energy would be obtained from renewable sources, eg solar panels. The Association has been offered the garden at a peppercorn rent by Hastings Council. BWGA member Chris Jukes has drawn up a business plan. As well as urgent repairs to the wall, some of the surrounding trees will be felled for security reasons and the surrounding dry moat needs to be cleared. A footpath needs to be created which will allow access for wheelchair users.
o Note: any donations for the “Bohemia Walled Garden Association” may be sent c/o the Bohemia Village Voice, 79 Bohemia Road, St. Leonards, TN37 6RJ.