| Aylesford: Tom Hart Dyke opens Peace Garden |
By: Amanda C Dickie
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Posted: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 6:59 pm
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Aylesford Peace Garden
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Aylesford Priory in Kent, have developed a Peace Garden, linked to the Olympics 100 Days of Peace. Following five years of planning, a substantial lottery grant and generous sponsorship, the work of 150 volunteers has resulted in a transformation of the driveway to the Gatehouse opening onto the Shrine area.
The garden was officially opened on Sunday by Tom Hart Dyke, creator of the World Garden at Lullingstone Castle, Kent, who had also helped with fund raising.
Hart Dyke said he was was struck by the peace of Aylesford. He spoke about his kidnapping in Central America, describing how he found light in the darkness by mentally planning a world garden - which became a reality.
He said he hoped those who visited Aylesford's Peace garden would find their spirits lifted in times of darkness.
Invited guests assembled in St Joseph's chapel in the Shrine, because of the rain, and listened to the combined choirs from the Priory and St Peters Anglican Church in the village, directed by Sr Elizabeth Obbard, sing hymns and anthems on peace. Local poet, Elena White read a poem entitled, 'Peace Garden' that she had especially written and the Prior, Fr Brendan Grady, said a prayer of blessing.
When the guests emerged to walk through the garden the sun shone out.
Jayne Hoose, a member of the Friars Pastoral team, who suffers from ME, designed the garden, divided by upright sleepers, into small themed gardens aro und the elements of fire, earth, water and air as a place of peace and harmony. The wind and wave garden has a curved mosaic made by the children of St Anselm's School, Canterbury. The central earth and water garden has unique tiered fountains made by Aylesford's pottery. They also made the pots for the olive trees and the sponsored Peace tiles in over two hundred languages, placed in the paths linking the gardens.
The core gardening group of thirty local volunteers consisted of experienced gardeners and absolute beginners. Ages ranged from teenagers to those in their seventies and all felt the benefit of building up a community spirit by getting in touch with nature.
The Carmelites hope the garden will provide a space for people to experience peace and stillness in today's busy world. Fr Joseph Chalmers, former Prior General and Director of Novices said: “The Peace Garden is a wonderful addition to what Aylesford offers the pilgrim and the casual visitor. Many people speak of the peace of this ancient friary. In the Peace Garden the arrangement of flowers, shrubs and water features help people to slow down and listen. The rest is up to God.”
The novices were part of the gardening group,and will continue to help maintain the garden, alongside the volunteers, during their novitiate, he said.
The garden is open daily from 1 May. Admission Free. Tel: 01622 717272 for further information.
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