THG’s community garden has been doubly recognized with a new award and a grant from a public vote.

 The gallery has been awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the 2017 Acland Awards presented by the East Devon AONB partnership.

 Chris Woodruff, Partnership Manager of East Devon AONB, said:

 “Thelma Hulbert Gallery put the community at the centre of their design for their garden regeneration scheme in 2016 to ensure the outside space at the gallery would meet the demands of a diverse range of users. A wide range of groups and ages helped and donated time and money to the scheme.The result is a garden which has attracted many new visitors and has been the focus for a wide range of activities that raise awareness of wildlife in the newly created habitats for semi-urban wildlife.

Regular volunteers help to maintain the gardens which now have bird boxes, bug hotels and bird feeders. The Panel were particularly impressed with the Gallery’s endeavours to deliver above and beyond their core resources and support local schools’ activities.”

 THG has also received a grant of £1,000 from a public vote in Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme. The grant will be used to create sound sculptures in the garden for visitors to explore with their senses, particularly groups with physical, learning and hidden disabilities. Artist Michael Fairfax will work the local schools and community groups to create the sculptures.

Bags of Help sees money raised by customers through Tesco’s 5p bag charge go directly back into the local community.  The bag charge has already raised millions for good causes across England and Wales.

 Angela Blackwell, THG’s Curator commented,

 “We would like to thank East Devon AONB for this award recognising our community garden and Tesco for their generous grant to continue the garden’s development. We will continue our thriving programme of workshops in the garden working closely with schools, families and community groups from across East Devon.”