Stroud's Secret Garden will soon be open ...Walled Garden opening celebration, 8th and 9th October
Published: Thursday, 6 October, 2016
For decades the Walled Garden behind the Museum at the heart of Stratford Park, Stroud, was abandoned and overgrown, a lost and forgotten space. Now, after years of hard work and incredible support from the local community, the Museum in the Park is finally opening this enchanting place to the public.
People of all ages are invited to come and celebrate the long-awaited opening of 'Stroud's Secret Garden’ on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October, when the Museum will hold its annual 'Big Draw' festival event there. 'Periscope' artists Alison Cockcroft and Emily Joy have been busy preparing some special creative activities for everyone to enjoy. They invite you to come and take a journey of exploration and discovery, retracing the footsteps of a mysterious Plant Collector and discovering some of the garden’s secrets along the way...
Everyone is welcome, call in for a short while or stay all day!
Meanwhile, behind the old brick walls, a very special, temporary exhibition of sculptures has just been curated, setting the scene for the opening of the Garden. "Gallery Pangolin is delighted to help celebrate this long-awaited opening with an exhibition of outdoor sculpture by West Country artists Anthony Abrahams, Ralph Brown, Jon Buck, Terence Coventry and Michael Cooper" revealed Sally James from Gallery Pangolin.
The sculptures presented by Pangolin join 'Summoner' by Alan Thornhill, a permanent feature of the Walled Garden and one of the works of art from the Museum’s Collection. This charismatic figure guards the garden threshold and invites you to come and explore this enchanting, ever changing place.
"The Walled Garden project is a result of great teamwork and Stroud can rightly be proud of those involved - the professionals, volunteers and supporters - who made it happen," said Fred Ward, Chair of The Friends of the Museum. "The Garden, with its excellent new Learning Pavilion, enhances all aspects of the Museum which already plays a vital part in the life of the local community and wider District."
The Walled Garden opening celebration, linked to the UK-wide Big Draw Festival, will take place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October, 11am to 4pm. For further details see www.museuminthepark.org.uk