The Lady Ryder Memorial Garden is a one acre walled garden built to the highest standards 120 years ago in the grounds of “Parmoor”. Once the home of the Cripps family (Lord Parmoor) it became the St Katharine’s convent after the war and then a retreat house for the Sue Ryder Prayer Fellowship. For more information about St Katherines please click on this link; www.srpf.org.uk

The Garden  gradually became derelict and all eight original glasshouses had collapsed when, in 2010, a group of local enthusiasts set about restoring it and that work continues on a successful path today.

Who we are and what we do

Volunteers are in most weekdays but visitors are most welcome on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when more of us are likely to be around. 

The Garden is run entirely by volunteers who enjoy the camaraderie, the fresh air, the exercise and the satisfaction of growing flowers, fruit and vegetables in such a peaceful, beautiful and welcoming setting. Some come for a couple of hours a fortnight, some come for a couple of days a week. Many of us take on not just the gardening  (expertise not essential) but also help the children with special educational needs or adults with disabilities who visit on a regular basis and play an important part in our work.

We now have a greenhouse, two polytunnels, a vinehouse/teaching space, a Sensory Garden designed for people with disabilities and an Education Centre where, if not in use for teaching, we can have our tea breaks if the weather requires.

It’s a lovely place to spend some time and if you would like to know more just ring:              01494 881709.

Walled Garden Com​mittee

Robert Rendel (Chair)

Dick Morbey (Secretary)

John Dawson (Treasurer)

Committee members

Stuart Beavis, Carol Daniels (Trustee), Shelagh Green, Anne Parmoor, Rob Pestell (Trustee), Celia Ridley, Sally Whatson

Gardening Team Volunteers

Gwyneth Ashcroft, Clive Cruse, Gillian Cruse, Shaun Dowling, Frances Emmett, Liz Fenley, Juliet Gostelow, Roger Johnson, Lyndsey Mann, Reema Mediratta, Angela Meredith, Lynn Mitchell, Gill Morbey, Ben Norton,  Jane Padbury, Julie Pinches, Shuna Rendel, Helen Riddoch, Mark Riddoch,  Deborah Rose, Gill Sandeman, Rachel Wallace