Blossoming Friendships

A garden transformation every bit as good as anything Alan Titchmarsh and his TV makeover team can manage is helping people build friendships in Swadlincote.

The backyard at Bank House, the headquarters of South Derbyshire Mental Health Association, was given its new look during the summer with the help of arts organisation People Express and a number of grants, including one from the National Forest Company.

Bank House members did the hard work on the new Garden of Friendship, led by sculptor Martin Heron. It now has distinctive wooden furniture and a sculpture.

Association secretary Denise Shillabeer said: "We had to work in really blistering weather and it was very hard going, but it has all been well worthwhile."