George Road Bible and Memorial Garden

NAME George Road Bible and Memorial Garden
LOCATION King's Community Church, George Road, Oldbury, B68 9LN
MANAGING ORGANISATION King’s Community Garden Group CONTACT Julia Button E. julia@thebuttonfamily.plus.com


USED TO BE A …
Run-down and unsafe graveyard

STORY
In 1991 the sale of an old church in the Warley created an opportunity for a community group to turn an overgrown graveyard into a unique public space.

King’s Community Church, a local Baptist group, enlisted the help of the charity Groundwork Black Country (link) and organised a consultation with local people.

With the help of volunteers, and financial input from Sandwell Council and the Hanson Environment Fund (link), the Bible and Memorial Gardens were created. The group are now awaiting news of a Living Spaces Grant of £23,000 that will be used to develop new features – plans include a children’s play area and the rebuilding of an historic landmark, Old Warley’s Well. A landscape architect is visiting them this week to discuss plans for the future.

NOW A...
Peaceful space for contemplation and remembrance.

WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
The concept of the Bible Garden is unusual; there are only two or three in the country. The group have extended the scope of the space to include a Memorial area for contemplation and future plans will mean the Gardens will benefit other parts of the community.

"It was in a terrible state back then, gravestones had collapsed, and it was completely overgrown."

"We have been successful because we've had regular volunteers."

Julia Button, King's Community Garden Group