OAKHAVEN HOSPICE PRESS RELEASEMarch 2007 Phoebe Coates Memorial Garden In 2006 an idea was formed to create a special memorial garden to Phoebe Coates, the founder of Oakhaven Hospice at her home Pennington Chase, to be built on the site of the lilly pond which was in much need of restoration. Louise Blackmore and her band of garden volunteers were asked for their ideas. David Palmer, a garden volunteer and Sol Blytt Jordens, a local garden designer drew up some plans which submitted to wellknown landscape gardeners Upchers & Co who also donated £3.000.00 toward the cost of the garden. The plans needed to be as tranquill and friendly as possible, in keeping with Phoebe's tastes and to provide a wonderful space in the garden for patients, their carers and staff alike. The work has been in progress since last Autumn and the building was finally completed at Christmas. But planting had to wait until the warmer Spring weather. All the plants were chosen by Aline Fairweather and Louise Blackmore to produce a fragrant and soft garden which would be both eye catching and stimulating. All the 308 plus plants and selection of bulbs including specimen trees were donated by Aline Christopher and Patrick Fairweather from their Garden Centre in Beaulieu. The bench seating was chosen by the volunteers from Maddy & Gez Law and Chris Dobson at Tiger Design of Eastleigh. The seating has been designed and handmade for Oakhaven Hospice Trust out of green oak. The plants arrived on March 26 th and the next day March 28 th the energetic band of Oakhaven volunteers set to work in beautiful Spring sunshine to finish the garden. A tribute to a much loved and respected lady, Phoebe Coates. Notes for Editors: Oakhaven Hospice supports not only at the Hospice but also out in the community. Our services are always free of charge. We support over 120 patients weekly and our Community Team make 2,500 home visits and telephone contacts each year. Our Bereavement team makes in excess of 1,600 contacts with the community every year while the Day Hospice has more than 1,200 attendances by patients annually. Press & PR enquiries about this event and Oakhaven Hospice to Jayne Ashley. Telephone 01590 688697 |