Wessex Electricals & Wessex Property Care took on a slightly different project for client Wiltshire Council this month.
Nadder Close is located in the centre of Tisbury and comprises 34 apartments and eight bungalows for social rent and has a large garden and patio areas for all the residents to enjoy.
Wessex have worked with Wiltshire Council for over two decades and as part of our relationship, the Wessex teams undertake volunteer projects for the council properties as part of its wider Social Value Charter.
Built in 1992, Nadder Close celebrates it’s 30-year anniversary this summer. As a fitting tribute to the anniversary the Wessex teams turned their hands to gardening to reinvigorate and refresh the communal gardens.
Many of the Residents apartments face onto the gardens with the focal point an impressive 30 year old wisteria over the central pergola which provides a stunning array of colour and scent, as well as shade in the warmer months.
Following an initial consultation with Wiltshire Council Housing, and the residents, the scope of the project was agreed, and plans put in place.
The Wessex teams provide retained electrical and property maintenance services to Wiltshire Council for their property portfolio. Wessex benefit from a long-standing relationship with electrical distributors Edmundson Electricals who supply all our equipment for our ‘normal’ working requirements. Having notified them about the Nadder Close project, Edmundson Electricals very kindly supplied all the materials needed for the garden refresh.
Over the course of three days, the team jet washed the patios, mowed the gardens, weeded and planted new flowerbeds and pruned back the wisteria.
The team also undertook structural work to stabilise the pergola, replace and paint hand rails and rebuild damaged raised flowerbeds.
Lastly, the teams created a new gravelled terrace with seating in a sunny spot overlooking the new flowerbeds.
Wiltshire Council will be taking on the grounds maintenance on themselves from this Autumn and were really grateful that Wessex have brought things up to a good standard that will be maintained going forward.
Jamie Robinson, Operations Manager, Wessex Electricals said “The team have got to know the residents over the years, having worked on the interior electrical work, and wanted to help to create a refreshed spring garden for them.
We have worked with Wiltshire Council for many years, within our realm of expertise i.e., electricals and interior works. To have established the social value projects with them is not only a fantastic result for the residents, but also a hugely enjoyable project for our teams.”
Cllr Phil Alford, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, commented “It is great to see the Wessex team hard at work in the garden; we are used to seeing them with their head in a fuse box or up a ladder. We know this isn’t their normal work and to give up their time to volunteer and give back to the residents is hugely welcomed. The residents have enjoyed watching the transformation and are thrilled with the result.”
Nadder Close Resident Maureen, came to oversee proceedings including the pruning of the wisteria and offered wise advice, as well as cake for the team. She said “It’s nice to have them here helping out, the gardens look amazing, and I am looking forward to sitting on the new bench in the summer. We are all really grateful.”
