Springhill Hospice Sensory Garden

Springhill Sensory Garden Project

Freemasonry in the Community in Action

The Rochdale Springhill Hospice Sensory Garden

Update - April 2008

The water feature at the Springhill Sensory Garden has been problematic since its installation, the bearing on which the rotating wheel was sitting has been blocked on a regular basis over the past year.

As the main function of the wheel was to convey the sense of sound something radical needed to be done to rectify the problem. Peter Hewitt whilst in a garden centre near Preston came upon a stone that would fit the bill, the ‘monolith’ is some three feet tall and scales somewhere in the region of eight hundredweight complete with a hole drilled through the centre Having been delivered to the Sensory garden it will be installed very soon, fortunately most of the existing parts of the original feature will be re-used, the water sump the pump and the piping.

The ‘monolith’ will fit the bill completely with water gently cascading down the rock to give the required soothing sound of running water.

The pictures show the 'momolith' on delivery still on a pallet, as can be seen it is somewhat larger than the rotating wheel it will repalce.

The Official Handover of "The Sensory Garden"

To the Springhill Hospice - 5th May 2007

After a week of unbroken sunshine, Friday the 4 th of May the day before the handover was an overcast, cold and windy day. As dawn broke on the Saturday it was still overcast, but as the wind had dropped it was a little warmer and as the opening time approached the sun appeared and bathed us in warm sunshine. During all the previous week the brethren had been in action at the Hospice, pulling the weeds and generally tidying up the area to ensure it would be perfect on the day. The District Team arrived early to be met by Peter Hewitt who was still clad in denim overalls after seeing that everything was truly ‘hunky dory'. The VIP's representing the Freemasons began to arrive, WBro Keith Schofield first, followed by WBros Jack Price, Harold Woodward, our District Chairman WBro Eric Kirkbride accompanied by their wives and WBro Derek Thornhill. They were welcomed by Christine Webb, the Chief Executive of the Hospice and Margaret Geoghegan MBE, the Chair of the Trustees, who had been involved in this hospice for exactly 24 years to the day. The Mayor of Rochdale, Councilor Jean Hornby and her Consort, representing the community of Rochdale, arrived and joined the other guests.

After signing an illuminated certificate to celebrate the handover they were taken on a tour of the hospice by Christine Webb. Meanwhile the Freemasons of Rochdale and their families, who were representing their lodges, had begun to arrive and the Whitworth and Healey Brass Band conducted by W.Bro John Binns, who had kindly agreed to entertain us on the day, were ready to commence. As the band started to play the clouds parted the sun appeared, it turned into a perfect spring day, warm with blue skies and brilliant sunshine. The time to cut the ribbon had arrived, one of the stalwart workers a young lady Miss Hannah Binns a member of the band and a granddaughter of Peter Hewitt was waiting in the wings with the ceremonial scissors. Jack Price, Margaret Geoghegan and the Mayor Jean Hornby cut the ribbon and the garden was officially open.

The assembled Freemasons and their wives were invited to tour the garden after which a superb buffet was provided and the VIP's mingled with visitors.

A famous quote comes to mind
“It is not the number of breaths we take in our lifetime, but the number of moments that take our breath away”

A truly wonderful and memorable day.

Included in the photograph are WBros Jack Price, Harold Woodward, Keith Schofield and their wives, WBro Derek Thornhill, The Mayor of Rochdale and her Consort, Mrs Margaret Geoghegan MBE, the Chair of the Hospice Trustees and Mrs Christine Webb the Chief Executive if the Hospice.

The Sensory Garden was created by the Freemasons of Rochdale for the Community of Rochdale

The idea of a sensory garden came from a ‘wish list' held in 2004 by the Springhill Hospice. To date Rochdale Freemasons have contributed their time, talents and money to the project, which is also supported by Mark Masons. With the better weather and the lighter nights the work has been resumed, the terrace outside the new wing has been completed and the main pathway laid.


The Terrace		The Path

With the paving around the new extension and the pathway completed the next step was to arrange the delivery of the boulders from the quarry and construct the rockery. ‘Operative Masons' took on a full meaning when the District team were faced with 15 tons of rock hewn from a local quarry. The Pile of rocks needed to be positioned in the sensory garden prior to the next phase of planting. ‘Doris' an ageing but trusty lady came to the rescue, and as the pictures show she saved the day and with four hours three members of the district team, ably assisted by the Hospice gardener Nick and his colleagues, had the heavy rocks in place. As normal in any quarry, the photographs show that tea was served on a silver tray by the Hospice team !!

Update 22nd July 2006

Picture 1 shows the Deputy Chairman, W.Bro Peter Hewitt, toiling under the blistering July sun and moving 20 tonnes of topsoil that had just been delivered assisted by his Grandson, Jordan. The soil was spread in preparation for the planting of flowers and shrubs in and around the rockery.

Pictures 2 show the new water feature in position which is quite stunning. District Secretary, W. Bro, Alan Barlow, can been seen in action with Nick the Hospice gardener.
The Water Feature was purchased from generous donations received from the Mark Master Masons of East Lancashire .

The final picture shows District Chairman's wife, Barbara, along with Deputy Chairman's wife, Sandra, under the watchful eye of the Deputy Chairman's grandson Jordan ‘doing-their-bit' for the District.

All the photographs were taken by the District Chairman W. Bro. Eric Kirkbride.

Update 1st August 2006

A team of 13 turned up to complete the soil preparation ready for the delivery of plants this coming week. Great credit must go to the Deputy Chairman Peter Hewitt who worked under the blazing sun for a week and called in all of us as reinforcements on Sunday 30th July.

The first picture shows the team of Colin Farrow, David L Greenhalgh, Alan Barlow. Peter Hewitt, Eric Kirkbride, John Hall (John Binns was also present)

Picture 2 shows what the team has to do for the District Chairman ---- even spreading manure!!

Picture 3 is rare, showing the District Charity steward with muck to spread!

As it is the hope of reward which sweetens labour the Chairman and Deputy Chairman and W.Bro Binns have some payments to make to their Grandchildren/children who turned up today and had a great time barrowing and working the soil!

6th September update

With the topsoil and manure spread the flowers and bushes were planted, and thanks to a warm July and a wet August they have already begun to flourish. The residents of the Hospice are already enjoying the garden and are able to take in the beauty and the sensual fragrances even at this early stage.

The next part of the project is the construction of a pergola and the placing of seats around the pathway in the vicinity of the water feature.

The official handover of the sensory garden is scheduled for the spring of 2007

17th September update

In this update we focus on the workers.The team has been made up of many volunteers, including our own APGM and District Chairman (left picture).The Provincial Grand Charity Steward W.Bro David Geldard (centre picture), his wife Ivy was also busy planting out in another part of the garden.W Bro Colin Farrow on holiday here from Thailand (on the left of the group in the right-hand picture) with David Greehalgh, Alan Barlow, Peter Hewitt (Provincial Junior Warden designate), Eric Kirkbride and John Hall.Also included are the whole of the District team and their families along with many other brethren from within the Rochdale district.The Garden is stunning and a great credit to our district.

21st December update

On Thursday 21st December '06 Springhill Hospice was the venue for a cheque presentation. Our very own charity ELMC donated £7,500 towards the Sensory Garden Project at the Hospice.

The aim of our Provincial Charity is to help the community where there is a need. 'We are here to Care' is the very appropriate motto and the donation was very gratefully received and will be faithfully applied.

The Photograph shows the District Charity Steward presenting the cheque to the Chief Executive Mrs Christine Webb.

From Left to Right the Deputy District Chairman WBro Peter Hewitt, The Provincial Charity Steward WBro David Geldard representing ELMC, Julie Perry Secretary Springhill Hospice, Mrs Christine Webb Chief Executive, WBro David Greenhalgh, and The District Secretary WBro Alan Barlow.

Whilst at the Hospice we also discovered that there were 7 day patients who had no immediate family and would be alone at Christmas; so 'Time for action' - and seven Marks and Spencer Hampers were bought and taken personally to the homes of the day patients.

The visit was really appreciated and the photograph shows the District team with the nursing staff of the Hospice before delivery.

The feel good factor was very apparent.