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PEACE GARDEN

Introduction

We believe that peace is not something passive but active. Peace needs to be sown, grown and cultivated. Therefore we are developing a Peace Garden. We have chosen a field at the south side of the walled garden, known as the paddock.

Background

Since May 2008 different groups of refugees from the Drop In centre Common Ground in Byker (Eastern Area Asylum seekers Support Group) have been coming regularly to enjoy the peace and beauty of Minsteracres. They were keen to get involved and interested in developing a fruit/vegetable garden. It was their idea to call themselves peace gardeners. Since then the idea of a peace garden has been further developed and different people have expressed a wish to play a part in this project.

The Peace Garden

The peace garden will reflect three aspects of peace: inner peace, the peace between people and being at peace with creation. They are interconnected as the Celtic knot. If one of the aspects is neglected, it will affect the other and break the fragile web of life.

Creating Together

The development of this garden is a community project. It is an opportunity for people from inner city areas to enjoy the peace of creation, for people in stressful lives to relax, and for all who come to connect with nature, with one another and with themselves.

The garden is being developed with the help of Let’s Get Growing, a social enterprise founded by Katrina Padmore and Ross Menzies. They are organic gardeners who work mainly with community gardens.

Groups already involved with the garden are:

EDAN East Durham Artists Network
Northumbria Daybreak, an organization that works with people with different abilities, and already uses the Minsteracres walled garden.
Refugees from the drop in centres in Byker and Benwell, Newcastle.
Parishioners from St. Elizabeth Church
Friends of Minsteracres
Groups that come to Minsteracres for a retreat