A new community garden in Bridgnorth, created in memory of the late Duke of Edinburgh and Her Majesty the Queen, is now open to the public.

The garden has been constructed on the historic site of the former Hazeldine foundry, where the renowned 18th-century engineer Richard Trevithick developed his first fee-paying steam locomotive. This project was funded by Bridgnorth Aluminium.

Following the passing of Prince Philip in 2021, Bridgnorth Aluminium, which employs about 450 people in the town, was inspired to create the garden. This initiative was at the request of the company’s owners, who have long-standing ties to the Greek royal family – Prince Philip was born in Corfu.

After the subsequent death of Queen Elizabeth II, the company decided to further honour her memory and contribute to the community by transforming the Hazeldine foundry site into a garden.

The garden is located on Bandon Road, a site owned by Bridgnorth Town Council, where Trevithick’s historic locomotive, ‘Catch Me Who Can’, was built in the 18th century. Last year, the Town Council approved the garden’s creation, and the project has been managed by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Named the Hazeldine Foundry Community Garden, the project has involved collaboration between multiple local organizations. The garden was developed by Arcox Landscaping of Telford and Mike Russell Landscape and Garden Design, in partnership with Bridgnorth Community Garden Project, Bridgnorth Civic Society, The Trevithick Society, Bridgnorth Rugby Club, Bridgnorth Town Council, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, and Bridgnorth Aluminium.

Construction began in April, and the garden was completed and officially opened to the public in July 2024.

For more information on the project, click here.