Personnel and staff at Tedworth House, a 19th-century Grade II listed recovery centre in Tidworth, have witnessed a transformation in the gardens following a period of environmental management, which included ecological rehabilitation and biodiversity restoration.
The meticulously cared for landscape not only portrays military pride but has the power to lift the aspirations of serving personnel and their families, and critically, is proven to support mental health and wellbeing.
Scientific research on the direct effects of gardening on the brain is still evolving, but numerous studies emphasise the profound positive impact of green spaces on health.
TENDING AN INTRICATE PLANTING SCHEME
The work was done by Gavin Jones Ltd, under contract from VIVO Defence Services. Landscape and grounds maintenance services regional manager Andy Mighall said: “We are accustomed to routine tasks like grass cutting, leaf collection and weed control but working on Tedworth House required something special.
“The formal grounds are well established so we’re not starting from scratch, rather caring for the ongoing needs of an intricate planting scheme as areas either come to the end of their natural life or succumb to weather, pests and disease.”
The house started life as a private home before it was bought by the War Office in 1897, eventually becoming the officers’ mess for the garrison and then accommodation for nurses working at Tidworth Military Hospital.
The American Red Cross moved in during the Second World War and ran it as a club where GIs could spend some rest and relaxation time. After the war the nurses returned and stayed until the hospital’s closure in 1977. At that point the house became an officers’ mess once again until it was converted into a personnel recovery centre in 2011 by Help for Heroes, which ran it until 2021. It’s currently operated by the MOD and provides residential accommodation for up to 54 personnel and 30 day attendees.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES
Last summer the grounds were the scene of discoveries by archaeologists working with serving personnel and veterans as part of Operation Nightingale. They uncovered foundations and parts of ornate architectural mouldings belonging to a mausoleum in memory of former owner Thomas Assheton Smith, who was an MP, noted amateur cricketer and steam yacht designer.
Longer-term initiatives for the gardens include the rehabilitation of their ecosystem, and their broader health and functionality.
The whole area is home not only to plants, trees and hedgerows but also wildlife vital to the biodiversity of the site. The variety and abundance of these species and their habitats have been carefully considered in all grounds maintenance activities.