| Peace Garden at Aylesford |
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Posted: Monday, October 31, 2011 10:48 pm
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entrance to The Friary which was founded in 1242
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The mild autumn most of Britain has experienced this October means that excellent progress has been made on the planting of the Peace Garden at Aylesford Priory, the Carmelite friary, shrine and retreat centre in Kent. The Priory, known locally as 'The Friars', is a renowned beauty spot that draws a quarter of a million pilgrims and other visitors every year.
A campaign launched a few years ago to develop a Peace Garden in the historic driveway to the Priory's Gatehouse has begun to take root in recent months.
Following a fundraising campaign, and a grant from Groundwork UK's 'Community Spaces' programme (part of the Big Lottery Fund), it is hoped that work on the Garden will be complete before the end of the year.
Preparatory work on the driveway was begun by the dedicated grounds staff at The Friars, and the volunteers who make up The Friars' Garden Group.
In mid-October the plants were laid out in position, ready for planting. The Peace Garden is arranged in four sections which take their inspiration from the traditional 'elements' of fire, water, wind and earth.
Planting the Peace Garden is part of the Carmelites' commitment to nurture God's gift of the environment. The layout of the Peace Garden has been meticulously planned with an area in the Peace Garden set aside for seating.
Among the volunteers working in the Peace Garden were the four novice friars who are living at Aylesford Priory during their introductory year in the life of a Carmelite brother.
In an edition of the community Newsletter earlier this year, the Prior of Aylesford, Fr Brendan Grady, wrote: "The Peace Garden will provide yet more facilities at Aylesford for visitors to experience a sense of connectedness with creation, as well as celebrating the richness of peoples that inhabit planet Earth."
The richness of Earth's peoples is celebrated in ceramic floor tiles that line the entrance to the Peace Garden. Each one bears the word 'Peace' inscribed in a different language. The tiles were made by the pottery that is located at The Friars.
In the coming months the Peace Garden will take root and flourish, and be a haven for wildlife and for pilgrims who come to Aylesford seeking renewal.
For more information see: http://www.carmelite.org a website of The British Province of Carmelites
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