Barnstaple Fire Station’s garden wins bloom award

A wellness garden, designed as a peaceful space for firefighters to relax and reflect, has won a prestigious South West in Bloom award from RHS Britain in Bloom.

The garden, located behind Barnstaple Fire Station, has become a vital sanctuary for firefighters to unwind after responding to serious incidents. 

It offers them a quiet space to reflect, talk, and come together.

Created in 2020 by Barnstaple firefighters Adam Jones and Barry Tucker from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the garden commemorates their colleague, Watch Manager Steve Isaac, who passed away that year. 

The garden features a Zen garden, decked seating, a garden room, raised beds, herb walls, a pizza oven, and a fire pit.

The team chose plants to ensure the garden would offer year-round colour and texture, including conifers, evergreens, and deciduous shrubs. 

Japanese maples, hornbeams, firethorn trees, and smaller plants such as ornamental grasses, mosses, and bamboo adorn the Zen garden. 

Additionally, a pile of twigs and branches provides a winter refuge for visiting hedgehogs.

Adam Jones, who led the project, said: “As a team, to have our hard work recognised is amazing. Our work as firefighters can, in its very nature, be stressful and emotional and there are times when we need to come away from life-changing incidents and have a quiet space to diffuse. The creation of this peaceful space really helps colleagues to put situations into perspective and has proven to be invaluable.

“We are so proud to have achieved this top award. It means so much to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.”

Judges from South West in Bloom have been so impressed with the wellness garden that they are now considering introducing a new category for fire stations in future awards. They hope other stations across the country will follow Barnstaple’s example and create their own wellness spaces for crews.

One of the judges, Su Maddocks, who visited the station during the judging process, described it as one of her favourite visits to date.

She explained: "I was honoured to be asked to judge the Barnstaple Fire Station's entry into this year's South West in Bloom, but had not expected to find this amazing, tranquil gem of a garden in such a location. I was humbled to hear the story behind its creation and of the hard work and dedication of those who brought the plans to fruition.

“I had no hesitation in awarding the project the highest marks. One of the criteria of the award is that the project should add to the quality of life of those who visit it, and the judging panel agreed with my submission that the team had achieved this at the highest level.”

Looking to the future, Adam and Barry have plans to further develop the garden. 

They intend to expand the walled herb planters, add more ornamental grasses and mosses to the Zen garden, and plant more bee-friendly meadow flowers to enhance the vibrant colours during the summer months.

“We hope it will remain a positive space for future generations of firefighters working here at Barnstaple Station,” said Adam.

“Wellness is something we all need to be accountable for, and while we are here at the station, we will make it our mission to ensure we maintain and keep the space blooming.”

South West in Bloom is part of RHS Britain in Bloom, Europe's largest horticultural campaign.

It encourages community groups to improve their local environments through imaginative planting, conservation, and recycling projects, as well as tackling issues like litter, graffiti, and vandalism.