Azadi Trust

Hope Garden

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness

So says the words of an age old hymn by Thomas Chisholm  ….. and we are part of that ‘manifold witness’ to creation in all its forms. We are sowing seeds of carrot, basil, perpetual spinach, chives, garlic and nasturtium, tending plants such as kale, lettuce, rocket, strawberry, clematis,  and raspberries.

Week in, week out we meet to share good times and bad news and receive the support of each other on our life journey and as the season progresses often go home with a bag of salad leaves or potatoes.

Just like us, some plants thrive well, others less so and need more attention!

Outings to nearby gardens eg Cannon Hill park, Jephson Gardens at Leamington help to lift our spirits and the Japanese art of Hapa zoming (leaf and flower printing with a hammer or stone) is a new skill we recently tackled.

We were part of an initiative to plant 2000 hedging trees in Solihull and not having right footwear for the very thick mud did not thwart our efforts as the photo shows!

We have enjoyed a few games together – adults can get warm on a cold day with a balloon -Who knew? And indoor gardening quizzes too, to keep our brains active.

Our latest venture is an artistic one creating a large wall art of Sparkbrook on a wall in the garden – watch this space! It is inspired by an artwork I saw being completed (and purchased) in Dawlish in April by a man named Dave Furler. So, to refer back to those beautiful words by Chisholm

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!