“The Memorial Garden was developed to manage the requests, which were coming into the University, for Memorial trees and to have a place for them to be sited” stated Jane Barker, Head of Grounds at Keele University – “with so much expansion happening across campus it was becoming increasingly difficult to find a location.

“The garden area selected was a field on the edge of campus that will never be built on which means the trees are safe to be able to grow to maturity – we have also specified fruit trees so that in the future it will provide free fruit for visitors.”

In addition, it was agreed to add flowers to the garden and the mixture Sarah Bouquet from the Euroflor urban meadow range was selected to provide season long colour. “The garden has proved very popular with visitors”, continued Jane “and used for teaching sessions and popular with campus dog walkers and students alike as a place to relax.

The garden has been there for about 4 years now – it was one of the first areas I developed when I came to Keele.”