15 July 2024
Our plan to extend the Sunken Garden community and bring the joy of growing to people across Thanet is coming into flower as the packets of sunflowers distributed to cafes, local businesses and in schools begin to shoot up.
As a keen cyclist, Andrew Miller, one of our volunteers has sped around the towns distributing over 5,000 packets of sunflower seeds to local businesses to share with their clients and customers.
Alongside this, we have partnered with local schools, handing out over 400 seed packets – Newington, Garlinge, St Saviour’s in Westgate, Cliftonville and St George’s in Broadstairs – providing them with sturdy potted sunflowers and free seeds for the students to take home. Each class also received a growing chart and an informative poster about sunflowers. The young people have taken on the responsibility of caring for their sunflowers; learning valuable lessons about nature, patience and plant care.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive with the schools sharing delightful pictures of their blooming sunflowers and proudly displaying the fruits of their efforts. It has been a fantastic way to teach children about the environment and the importance of caring for plants.
The Sunken Garden Society is thrilled to see how our initiative has not only brightened up the schools but also the Isle. It’s estimated that 5,000 seed packets could grow over 10,000 sunflowers. With the byline “Let’s Brighten up Thanet,” we hope people will begin to notice an abundance of sunflowers this summer.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the schools and students for their participation and to local businesses for their hard work and support. Together, we’ve made our community a little brighter and greener.
Our thanks also goes out to our supporters Alison at Lanes Printers, Pysons Road, who helped print the posters at short notice: www.lanesprinters.co.uk; Jackie and Martin at Young’s Nurseries, Broadstairs for the supply of plant pots and compost: www.youngsnurseries.co.uk .
The Sunken Garden Society, a voluntary community group, was established to reinvigorate a hidden gem at the heart of Thanet, bringing back to its former glory for the local communities to use and enjoy. We are an RHS Affiliated Society, supported by Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Co-op, Kent Community Foundation, Rotary and Thanet District Council.
We run regular monthly gardening days on the last Saturday of the month from 10am to 12 noon – the next one will be on Saturday 27 July
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep in touch @sunkengardensociety
Find out more about the Sunken Garden, the history and plants HERE
Save the date – The Sunken Garden Eco Fair will take place on Sunday 6 October – more information to follow soon
The Sunken Garden is on Royal Esplanade, Westbrook, Margate CT9 5EJ
For more details about our gardening group, future initiatives and how to become a Sunken Gardens Supporter, please get in touch
