A COMMUNITY sensory garden has been unveiled in Tredegar.

The garden was developed at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar with funding from the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature Fund and National Lottery Heritage Fund and offers the public a space to relax and enjoy nature.

Parc Bryn Bach’s team has worked with volunteers from the Friends of Parc Bryn Bach and Blaenau Gwent’s biodiversity team to create a sensory garden, which includes:

  • Trees
  • Climbers
  • Shrubs
  • Grasses
  • Herbs
  • Wildflower

The garden is a celebration of colour, textures, sounds, taste and smell with plants like echinacea and lavender providing healing properties.

The native Welsh trees, plants and herbs aim to enhance biodiversity and – at the centre of the garden – is a sculpture by artist Shaun Gagg. The Life’s Circles is sculpted from steel pipes which are welded together from the inside.

Director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, Andrew White, said: “Landscapes and nature form the bedrock of our culture and heritage, improving wellbeing, sparking curiosity, and protecting and providing for the community around them.

“National Lottery players have highlighted natural heritage as especially important, which is why we are proud to award a grant to this sensory garden, which will allow people to enjoy nature as part of their daily lives.”

Phill Sykes, operations director of Aneurin Leisure Trust, added: “The new sensory garden at the park will be a wonderful addition to the facilities that are on offer to the local community. 

“We believe that this space will provide a genuine retreat for visitors to take time out of their busy lives and enjoy nature at its best.  We hope that this new addition to the park will help with individuals’ and families’ overall health and wellbeing.”

The sensory garden officially opened on September 30 (2021). To find out more visit parcbrynbach.co.uk/sensorygarden