A COMPLETE transformation of the garden at Tavistock Hospital will be accomplished within the next three weeks thanks to the dedication of staff and the generosity of the people of the town.
A group of nurses and other staff at the hospital decided earlier this year to set about renovating the garden for the benefit of patients, visitors and staff. So far, fund-raising for the jubilee garden appeal has raised almost £8,000.
Two welly boots on display at the hospital have been a great success as collection boxes.
There have been many cash donations, both large and small, and pledges of gifts for the hospital's grand raffle — tickets for which go on sale soon.
More than £200 was also added to the total by two nurses at a recent car boot sale.
A 'Patient Push' has been arranged for early morning, on Saturday, August 3, but the exact details are being kept secret.
'You will have to be on the route between Safeway and Bedford Square to see exactly what that entails,' says Jenny Base, one of the appeal organisers.
Messages of support have been received, most notably from Buckingham Palace and Woburn Abbey.
The organisers hope Lord and Lady Tavistock will carry out the opening ceremony when the time comes. It was their family which originally gave the land on which the hospital was built.
'With the recent lovely weather, we are reminded just why we want to create a "patient-friendly" garden,' said Mrs Base.
A band of volunteers will complete the mammoth task of renovation over the weekend of August 8-11.