Revitalising Southport’s Memorial Garden: A Community Effort
On Monday, 29th October, Dowhigh Ltd. began important work outside The Atkinson and Town Hall on Lord Street, Southport, joining forces with the dedicated volunteers from Lord Street in Bloom and Sefton Council. This collaborative effort aims to transform the memorial garden into a vibrant, welcoming space that honors recent memories and serves as a gathering place for the community.
Honoring Southport’s Heartfelt Tribute
The memorial garden has held a special place in Southport’s heart since July, following the tragic incident on Hart Street where we sadly lost Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguia. The garden became a focal point of remembrance, a place for local people and visitors to pay their respects, and a site for reflection that saw the community come together in a time of shared sorrow. This summer, the space even welcomed a visit from King Charles, who joined to show his support for the families and friends affected.
A Vision for Renewal
The flower beds at the memorial garden, previously filled with established ferns and mature plants, were in need of a fresh start. Sefton Council and the Lord Street in Bloom team recognised this, hoping to reimagine the area as a colorful and inviting garden for all. With plans approved, the Lord Street in Bloom team reached out to us at Dowhigh to help bring their vision to life.
The work began with clearing out the old plants, a task that required significant equipment and expertise due to the size and maturity of the flower beds. This included the removal of established plants and ferns and the replacement of old soil with fresh, nutrient-rich soil in preparation for new floral displays.
Bringing the Vision to Life: A Step-by-Step Transformation
Between Monday, 29th October, and Wednesday, 31st October, Dowhigh Ltd. had a dedicated team on-site at The Atkinson and Town Hall gardens on Lord Street. Equipped with machinery and specialized equipment, they began the task of transforming the memorial garden, working carefully to honor the garden’s significance while preparing it for a new chapter.
Day 1–2: Clearing and Preparing the Site
To access the beds with machinery, the team first removed the existing benches, ensuring they would be safely restored once the work was completed. Using a digger, they carefully uprooted established ferns and bushes, preserving those that could be replanted elsewhere, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and mindful landscaping.
With the site cleared, the team began the extensive task of removing all existing foliage, loading the removed plants and soil into mini dumpers, which were then transported off-site for disposal. This process took up the majority of Monday and Tuesday, as the team meticulously cleared the beds, making way for new soil and fresh planting.
Day 3: Planting, Beautifying, and Final Touches
On Wednesday, the Dowhigh team was joined by an incredible group of volunteers from Lord Street in Bloom, Sefton Council, and even additional Dowhigh staff from across our business. This team effort brought together over a dozen enthusiastic hands to bring the final vision to life.
The day’s activities included:
- Planting New Flowers and Shrubs: Volunteers worked side by side to introduce a variety of plants and flowers, carefully chosen to add vibrant colors and seasonal interest to the space.
- Power Washing and Cleaning: To refresh the area fully, teams power washed the benches and surrounding walkways, removing any residual dirt and giving the space a polished appearance.
- Painting and Restoring: Waste bins in the area were given a fresh coat of paint, while the benches were carefully reinstalled, now surrounded by freshly planted greenery.
- General Tidy-Up: Volunteers conducted a thorough clean-up, ensuring the area looked pristine and welcoming.
A Community-Focused Achievement
The project was a true community effort and a great success, leaving the area refreshed, renewed, and ready to be enjoyed by all. This transformation not only enhances the visual appeal of Lord Street but also preserves the memorial garden as a heartfelt tribute and a vibrant gathering place for Southport’s residents and visitors alike.
Today we had the pleasure of working alongside Dowhigh and Sefton Council. The contractors have been on site for three days. Firstly they removed all the benches. Then the flower beds were completely cleared of soil and plants as the area was full of horse tail, and bindweed. Substrate was then added to the beds as a base. This morning Dowhigh added a few tonne of top soil to the flower beds.
These guys have really gone above and beyond. They’ve been power washing the flags all day. The bins within the garden area have been painted, and all the benches have been scrubbed and power washed.
We would like to say a huge thankyou to Dowhigh, they’ve done all of this work for free.
Kaye, Marc, Martin, Jeff, Graham, Rowan, Harry, Amy and Owen….thankyou from the bottom of our hearts for all you’ve done. Pauline – Lord Street in Bloom Volunteers