Volunteers make Edmonds garden sure to rise

Keeping the heritage Edmonds Factory Garden in prime condition is a piece of cake thanks to a team of dedicated volunteers.

The Friends of the Edmonds Factory Garden meet at the Ferry Rd garden every Saturday to deadhead roses, trim hedges, weed, trim edges and generally tidy up the area.

Volunteer John Hoskin is a member of the Friends of the Edmonds Factory Garden.

They are some of many volunteers around the country who generously contribute to their communities without pay. Their work is acknowledged on International Volunteer Day today.

Friends Secretary Jenny Hoskin says the group's overarching goal is to keep the gardens looking cared for and make them an inviting place to be.

“We feel very strongly that these gardens are a special part of Christchurch’s heritage and I know a lot of visitors feel the same way. Our aim is to promote and maintain them as a community asset.”

The volunteer group, which includes Jenny's husband John Hoskin, has planted roses, lilies, bulbs and memorial camellias and used their own funds to install a sundial, a drinking foundation and seating. They've also campaigned for funding for the lighting, irrigation, CCTV cameras, the rose garden, the Bluebird Oval Garden and three bridges.

Last year 18 weddings were held at the Edmonds Factory Garden and the total number of hours put in by volunteers preparing for these events, by gardening, removing graffiti and painting fences totals about 1500 each year. They also host live musical events, and the next one, Music at Edmonds, is planned for 17 February 2019.

Council Heritage Parks Team Leader Nicky Brown says the Friends' work is invaluable. "The gardens are kept to an exceptionally high standard because of their dedicated efforts and they're also very strong advocates within their community." 

Thomas Edmonds, the manufacturer of the famous brand of baking powder, commissioned the garden planted around his factory, which was built in 1923.
The landmark garden has featured on the cover of the iconic Edmonds Cookery Book, along with the factory, which was demolished in 1990.

The Council acquired a major portion of the original Edmonds Factory Garden in 1991 and since then a rose garden and a replica oval garden (recreating what used to be in front of the factory) have been added.

Jenny Hoskin looks after roses in the Edmonds Factory Garden.