The Connah’s Quay War Memorial, situated in Wales, serves as a poignant tribute to the residents of Connah's Quay and Shotton who were killed or reported missing during the First and Second World Wars.
Flintshire County Council aimed to enhance this memorial site by creating a serene garden space that would provide an area for reflection and honour the memory of those who served.
As part of the UK Government Shared Prosperity funding allotted to the Town Centre Investment Programme, Flintshire County Council undertook the project to rejuvenate the memorial's surroundings. The initiative comprised ten projects aimed at improving urban spaces across Flintshire.
As such, the memorial garden at Connah’s Quay War Memorial was identified. Concurrently, the Interservice Committee approached the council for funding to clean the memorial and to add names of soldiers who had not been previously recognised.
This provided the council with the opportunity to consider creating a memorial garden that combines the names in the best way possible. It was decided to use planters around the cenotaph to create a space for reflection and year-round interest for the site. The species identified in the planters offer substantial biodiversity benefits to the area.
To achieve this, Flintshire County Council collaborated with EE Civils, based in Holywell, to install the bespoke planters and Mona Tank 24 irrigation systems and fill them with Green-tree topsoil, all supplied by Green-tech. This collaborative effort sought to create a peaceful garden area using planters that would contribute to the site's visual appeal and biodiversity. Additionally, the memorial garden would support community engagement, with plans for local schools to adopt and maintain some of the planters.
Green-tech supplied:
- 30 bespoke planters
- 30 Mona Tank 24 Irrigation systems
- 4 Bulk Bags of Green-tree Topsoil
Charlotte Wilcock, Project Development Officer at Flintshire County Council, advises: “Green-tech was selected as the range of planters on offer worked with our requirements and timescales. Our Green-tech advisor, James Renfrew, was supportive in advising and quoting for the required products and discussing the project and its requirements. Flintshire County Council had previously used Green-tech for another project, and having been pleased with the results and services from that project, there was confidence that this would be repeated on this project.”
The bespoke planters were chosen to provide a specific aesthetic that appealed to the project's stakeholders while ensuring durability for long-term use. The inclusion of the Mona irrigation system was recommended to facilitate the ongoing maintenance of the planters and enhance their growth and sustainability. The 100% water-efficient, subterranean plant irrigation system acts as a reservoir to hold water and distribute it to the plant's roots as and when required.
The transformation of the Connah’s Quay War Memorial into a beautiful garden space was well-received by the community. The planters, now filled with lush greenery, have drawn positive feedback from residents.
Ian Dunbar, Chair of the Interservice Committee, remarked, “We have had many good comments from the public regarding the planters filled with plants, and have a request from some schools to sponsor a planter and look after it, which is brilliant.”
The successful installation of the planters at Connah’s Quay War Memorial highlights the positive impact of collaborative efforts in community regeneration. Green-tech’s commitment to quality products ensured the delivery of a meaningful project that enhances the memorial site, supporting biodiversity and community involvement. This project is a testament to how thoughtful landscaping can create serene spaces for reflection and remembrance.
