A month of hard work by a local couple means Gloucester Soldiers Memorial Hospital now has a new rose garden.

With supplies donated by local businesses, Marianne and Bruce Paynter were able to prune the existing roses back, and plant new ones.

According to Gloucester Health Service Manager Peter Barber the rose garden, which has been a feature of the hospital for over 50 years, was in need of some expert care

“We are very grateful that Bruce and Marianne volunteered their time and effort.”

“The roses that were dug up need a little tender loving care and will then be replanted in appropriate areas,” Mr Barber said. 

“They have significance to the local community as many of them were donated by the families of long-term residents.”

Marianne and Bruce said it was something easy they could do for the community.

“We hope the staff, patients and visitors enjoy the new look garden and it makes their stressful day a little brighter,” they said.

“The actions of Bruce and Marianne are representative of the strong bond between the hospital and the local community,” Mr Barber said.

“It really brightens up the entry to the hospital” he said.

Bruce and Marianne now call in once a week to check and water the roses.

Contact: Tanya Carlyle, Communication Officer

Phone: (02) 49 392 602