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Palaces & Buildings

The Queen Mother’s garden to close for refurbishment

The Queen Mother’s Garden in Dereham is temporarily closing to undergo refurbishment.

The refurbishment plans to touch up the much-loved green space that sits behind Withburga Lane and Church Street. Starting on Monday, 18 July, the garden is expected to be closed until autumn.

The refurbishment project is a joint effort between the Dereham Town Council and the Breckland Council. It, of course, is part of the ongoing Platinum Jubilee celebrations and will help modernise the space and make it more accessible. This will be done by adding a new path laid, new eco-benches, a community book swap cupboard, and new plating. The new planting includes sensory plants which will be beneficial to children and people with dementia.

As for where project funding is coming from, funding is coming from the Breckland Council’s ‘Thriving Places’ programme – a programme aimed at supporting Dereham Town Council and town centres to thrive and prosper.

Breckland Council’s executive member for property and projects, Paul Hewett, told the Eastern Daily Press: “We are delighted to be working with Dereham Town Council on this prestigious project honouring the Queen Mother and benefiting both residents and visitors to the town.

“The garden has tremendous potential to become a real gem in Dereham and a valuable space for nearby schools and residents with dementia.

“Dereham has enjoyed this public space for 40 years, and the launch of the refurbishment will ensure this beloved royal garden keeps blooming for another four decades and beyond.”

The garden received the royal seal of approval in the early 1980s when The Queen Mother paid a visit to see the popular public space open.

About author

My name is Sydney Zatz and I am a University of Iowa graduate. I graduated with a degree in journalism and sports studies, and a minor in sport and recreation management. A highlight of my college career was getting the chance to study abroad in London and experiencing royal history firsthand. I have a passion for royals, royal history, and journalism, which led me to want to write for Royal Central.