JT’s Community Giving Scheme has donated the connectivity needed for the new security cameras designed to protect the restored Pat Merriman Peace Garden in the Les Cotils following vandalism earlier this year.
Designed to be a restorative outdoor space to help people undergoing a healing process from physical or mental ill health. The garden planners consulted with Alzheimer’s, Autism and Dementia experts when it was being designed, so that it could be an inclusive area for everyone.
In April, the garden suffered over £7,000 worth of damage due to vandalism. Several trees were destroyed by arson, the walkway was ruined, and wildlife disrupted when granite was deliberately pushed into the pond.
Local businessman, Matt Thornton, co-founder of Cortex Technologies heard about the vandalism through the local media and donated £1,500 for repairs. Another friend of Les Cotils donated new sleepers for the bank under the tulip tree, after the previous ones had been soaked in petrol and set on fire. JT’s donation is the final piece of an amazing community effort to help restore and protect the garden.
Erin Adkins (pictured), Head of Operations at Les Cotils Centre, said: “The Peace Garden is a place of tranquillity and while we’ve been reluctant to install cameras, sadly we have been left with little choice.”
Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets and Community Partnerships at JT, said: “In a stressful world, we all need a place to pause and recharge. The Pat Merriman Peace Garden offers just that—a peaceful spot with beautiful views of St Peter Port to find calm and inspiration. When it was damaged, it was a real blow to the community, but the way everyone came together to restore it shows just how much it means to us all. It’s a reminder that even in the face of senseless acts, we can come together and care for what really matters.”
Erin continued: “We are so grateful to JT and the rest of the community who have pulled together to rebuild the gardens. When Matt reached out to us, it restored my faith in humankind. Most people don’t realise what Les Cotils does and if he and JT hadn’t come forward, we would have had to spend money that would have otherwise gone towards helping others. We’re delighted that together we could bring the garden back to its natural state, and we hope that islanders will continue to enjoy the scenery and tranquillity for many years to come.”
