About The Project
The Whittington Garden of Remembrance
The Garden of Remembrance sits quietly at the heart of Whittington. Once a churchyard, this now-closed burial ground offers a peaceful space for reflection, memory, and connection.
Wend & Wild has been given permission by Shropshire Council and Whittington Parish Council to gently tend and replant the space on a voluntary basis. The aim is to enhance its beauty, maintain it with care, and create opportunities for the community to quietly engage with its ongoing life, whether by growing, planting, sponsoring, or simply enjoying the view.
What We’re Doing
We’re starting with a phased plan that includes:
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Caring for the existing space: light weeding, pruning, and litter picking
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Replanting the border: introducing pollinator-friendly, cottage-garden-style planting in themed sections
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Improving the soil: adding compost and organic matter to support long-term planting health
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Inviting community involvement: from sharing spare plants to growing from seed for future seasons
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Reviewing gentle maintenance needs: including topping up gravel on the pathways
Why It Matters
This garden is a space for the whole village – not just for today, but for future generations. As the role of other public spaces in Whittington begins to shift, the value of freely accessible, well-cared-for spaces like this becomes even more important.
The project is grounded in:
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Respect for the past
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Purposeful beauty in the present
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Careful stewardship for the future
We hope the garden will continue to offer peace, pride, and connection to everyone who visits or passes by.
Long Term Hopes
We are also exploring funding opportunities, including through Spacehive and local grants, to support:
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Replacement of benches with accessible, long-lasting seating
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Gentle interpretive signage (plant names, historical notes, or reflective poetry)
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Sustainable, low-maintenance planting that continues to evolve with the seasons
Honouring the Past
Alongside planting and maintenance, we also hope to give gentle attention to the gravestones and memorials within the garden. Many of them carry the names and stories of past residents and as part of this work, we hope to learn more about who they were and how we can preserve them respectfully for future generations. This might include light clearing, historical research, and exploring opportunities for funding where appropriate.
How you can support the Project
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Donate plants – We’re looking for people to grow plants from seed, both to sell and to plant in the borders, and also plants that have been dug up, split and propagated for gardens in the village.
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Sponsor a section – opportunities coming soon to sponsor a section of the border or a bench in memory of a loved one
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Volunteer your time – Light gardening and seasonal help is always welcome. You are also welcome to join us as we garden to sit in the space, to read a book or eat your lunch in quiet company.
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Make a donation – if you’d prefer to give financially, donations will go directly toward plants, compost, tools, and future improvements to the space
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Spread the word – follow along on our Facebook page and share the project with neighbours and friends
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions.
Who is running the Garden of Remembrance project?
The project is led by us, Wend & Wild, and we’re a local community interest initiative created to gently care for shared green spaces in Whittington. All work is carried out on a voluntary basis with permission from Shropshire Council (who are responsible for the space) and Whittington Parish Council.
Is the garden still a churchyard?
The Garden of Remembrance is a closed churchyard, meaning it is no longer used for new burials and is now maintained by the local authority (Shropshire Council). It remains a place of reflection and remembrance, and is being cared for with respect for its history and meaning to the community.
Can I get involved or contribute?
Yes — there are lots of gentle ways to get involved! You can donate plants, grow from seed, volunteer a bit of time, or contribute financially to support tools and materials. Head over to the Get Involved page for more information.
Is this a council-run project?
No — this is an independent, community-led project. It has been approved and supported by both Shropshire Council and Whittington Parish Council, but is managed entirely by Wend & Wild on a voluntary basis.
How do you make sure the work is safe and appropriate?
Wend & Wild carries public liability and employer’s liability insurance, and appropriate risk assessments are completed before any work takes place. All changes are carefully planned and communicated with the Parish Council, and we welcome feedback and suggestions from the community.
How do I get in touch with questions or suggestions about the garden?
Whether you have a question, a suggestion, or simply want to know more about the project, we’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch through our contact page or email us directly at hello@wendandwild.org.uk.