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Local MP Opens "Fragrant" Garden
At Mental Health Unit, Leighton Hospital, Crewe
May 2003 — Following months of hard work, a
"fragrant" garden at the Mental Health Unit of
Leighton Hospital (Cheshire, UK), was finally opened by
local MP, Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody last May. The garden is named
in memory of former Air Products employee and carer at the
unit, Bernie Bennett.
Mrs Dunwoody was on-hand to officially open the garden,
and was joined by employees from the Mental Health Unit,
Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership and Air Products employees
past and present.
The garden received major support from local companies,
including Air Products, whose donation ensured that work
on the garden could be completed. In addition, a number
of Crewe-based employees helped transform the area by spending
a weekend working in the garden.
The original idea for the garden came from former patient
and Vice Chair of the Crewe and Nantwich Mental Health Sector
Planning Group, Peter Clay and aims to provide a peaceful
and tranquil area in which patients and relatives can sit,
relax and enjoy. Bernie, who worked at Air Products for
over 25 years before retiring and becoming a carer at the
unit, contacted Air Products UK Charities Committee for
their support in order to transform this vision into a reality.
"Bernie was an inspiration to all who had the pleasure
to work with him," said Dave Lonsdale, Air Products
UK marketing manager. " Sadly, he passed away in October
2002. The garden was his passion and I'm delighted that
we have been able to help to complete such a worthwhile
and significant community project in his memory."
The 55-bed acute unit at Leighton Hospital is the only
one of its kind in central Cheshire. Up until this year,
there has been nowhere for relatives and patients to sit
and relax - now, the new garden, planted with scented flowers
and shrubs, will provide significant additional space for
patients, relatives and staff.
The garden also demonstrates what can be achieved when
the public and private sectors join together for the benefit
of the local community.
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