An open garden event is being held this week to mark the transformation of Hyson Green Library’s garden and Acorn Resource Centre.
The work was made possible by a successful grant funding bid from The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport funds LIF, which is administered by Arts Council England.
The revitalised space is set to be celebrated at an open garden event on Wednesday (24 April), starting from 1pm. Visitors are invited to view the remarkable change in the garden, while enjoying light refreshments, activities and games to play on the magic interactive projector.
With Arts Council support, the garden has undergone a stunning makeover, featuring captivating mosaics crafted by local artist Sophie Robins. Inspired by the essence of gardens, Sophie’s intricate designs represent the sights, sounds, and scents unique to these serene sanctuaries.
These mosaics, born from collaborative workshops with the Acorn Resource Centre, the library’s Knit and Knatter group, and the wider community, add a distinct charm to the garden.
In addition, a dedicated team of local volunteers is caring for the garden and enjoying time together outdoors. Generous funding from Nottingham GreenSpace has paid for tools and supplies to enable the group to get creative in the garden and start planning a calendar of events.
Library gardens are serene spaces to sit and read, to contemplate or take part in activities and events. These outdoor spaces are important for people’s health and wellbeing, as well as pleasure.
Nottingham City Libraries successfully bid for funds managed by Arts Council England for the project One Hyson: Growing Together, which has paid for the improvements to the garden at Hyson Green Library.
This project has been a collaboration between the library service, the Acorn Resource Centre, the Community Health Partnership, The Mary Potter Health Centre, Greater Nottingham LIFT ProjectCo, social prescribers, and various other Nottingham City Council departments and local organisations such as GreenSpace. Together, they aim to create inclusive spaces for the community to thrive.
Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “The afternoon event will celebrate an oasis of calm and relaxation that the great improvements to the shared garden have delivered, where the local community can discover that libraries have so much to offer.”
Wednesday’s open garden event runs from 1 pm to 5 pm, with speeches starting at 3pm. A range of activities and games for both children and adults will take place throughout the afternoon, complemented by interactive games and quizzes through the magic interactive sensory projector.