A five-acre meadow, just a few miles from Norwich is now open for use, free of charge, by Christian and other groups.
Carmel – a meadow that is turning into a garden – began in 2019. The five-acre site in Bergh Apton, south of Norwich, is owned by Rita, Alwyn and Michelle Evans is available for use by Christian groups for short visits.
The meadow was previously agricultural and had been used for crops and sheep grazing in recent years, but the group had a vision to use it as a quiet place for people to visit and be able to experience the beauty of nature and draw close to God.
Since starting with a blank slate in 2019, the site has seen the addition of over 700 hedging plants, a vegetable garden, orchard, and over 100 trees planted. There is a large pond, a quiet corner and two large flower beds, an Italian border and a sundial garden. The rest of the site is long meadow grass with mown paths that visitors can follow.
An owl box, added earlier this year, has been successful with the first brood fledging in May, and a pair of ducks have taken up residence in the pond which was created last autumn. The site is also home to several beehives and there are frequently buzzards, red kites and oystercatchers overhead.
The site will continue to develop, with plans for a water feature, herb garden and wildflower meadow.
“It is a wonderful place to come to visit,” says Rita Evans. “We have been blessed with this land and want to share that with others. We have poured our hearts and souls into it, and we are really looking forward to people coming to visit us. We are also interested in hearing from anyone who might be interested in volunteering to help us keep building and maintaining this large site.”
Car parking and toilets are available on site and there is plenty of room for picnics.
The garden can be found just off the A146, next to Green Pastures Nursery and Farm Shop.
Lots more information can be found at carmelmeadow.com
Anyone wishing to visit or volunteer should email [email protected]
Pictured above and below is part of Carmel Meadow and, below, the Carmel team, from left: Alwyn Evans, Rita Evans, Nancy Dyson and Rachel Hyde-Smith.
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