Cheltenham and Göttingen collaborate on Sandford Park garden revitalisation
Garden honours 75 years of Cheltenham and Göttingen's friendship
Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Göttingen in Germany have united in a garden revitalisation project at Sandford Park in Cheltenham as part of their long-standing partnership.
The initiative commemorates the 75th anniversary of the twinning agreement signed in 1951 between the councils, focusing on enhancing the aesthetic and biodiversity of the Göttingen Garden.
Volunteers from Friends of Sandford Park and Cheltenham International Partnerships Association collaborated with Council staff to plant a range of flora. The garden's transformation followed a design provided by the Göttingen Council and was funded by a £1,100 grant from Cheltenham Borough Council’s Community Pride Fund.
In May, the Mayor of Göttingen visited Cheltenham to participate in a turf-cutting ceremony, marking the start of the project. This visit highlighted the collaborative efforts across communities.
Earlier in the year, thousands of crocuses were planted at Sandford Park. Future plans include installing a stone seat with a commemorative plaque based on a planting scheme from Göttingen.
The revitalisation reflects the shared cultural and environmental values between the towns, strengthening their bond and continuing the legacy of cooperation.
Councillor Steve Harvey, cabinet member for waste, recycling, and green open spaces, said: “This project not only beautifies Sandford Park but is a symbol of our shared values and deepens the bond between our two towns, celebrating a legacy of friendship and cooperation. I would like to thank the Friends of Sandford Park for their invaluable contribution and all their hard work on this project.”
Councillor Angie Boyes, chair of Cheltenham International Partnerships Association, said: “This garden is a testament to the loyal and lasting friendship between our towns. In Göttingen, a central park named Cheltenham Park mirrors this gesture, reinforcing Göttingen's status as Germany's second greenest city.”
Anne Evans from Friends of Sandford Park added: “Our local community wishes to restore each of the 7 areas of Sandford Park which in 1951 were established to celebrate international collaborations between Cheltenham and its partner and friendship towns. Gӧttingen was Cheltenham’s first partner town and so became our first to restore. It was a great collaborative effort between our charity, Gӧttingen, the Council, and CIPA. The Friends of Sandford Park plan to raise further funds so we can restore the other 6 areas in our park.”