On the 16th February 2007 the Pukaar Team was invited to attend the Ground Breaking Ceremony event at the Vedic Society Hindu Temple, Radcliffe Road, Southampton. The ceremony was launched by Hampshire’s own Queen Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan.

The programme organised by Venika Kingsland intends to turn a derelict play area in front of the temple into a traditional Indian exotic garden. With help from Sparsholt College, whose pupils have designed several plans for the garden, and Hampshire Probation Service, whose offenders will build the winning design as part of their Community Payback scheme.

The aim of the project is to encourage local ownership and to show how offenders can make their communities better. Director of De Barneville Ltd Venika Kingsland said, “The scheme will give offenders a sense of pride. It’s something they can give back to the community, and it means we will work together as a multi-cultural society.”

The overall emphasises of the scheme was the celebration and coming together of the community as a multi-cultural structure, which Pukaar also prides itself on. Principle Tim Jackson of Sparsholt College Winchester said, “Our College is culturally isolated and the pupils come from culturally ignorant backgrounds. This scheme has helped them to open their eyes and mind.”

The Probation Service feel the scheme gives them the opportunity to demonstrate that offenders can work in partnership with community organisations. Stephanie Chambers from Hampshire Probation Service said, “The scheme will build practical skills, it’s not just about clearing land, it’s about planting, ground work and team work. Skills that the offenders can carry with them for life.”

For the Temple this is a long awaited development. “On Sunday the Temple welcomes over 150 people, many who bring their children. Some children do not want to sit inside so the garden will offer them a place to come and enjoy whilst their families are in the Temple,” said Ravi Parmar Vice President of the Temple. “The garden will be a tranquil place where people can sit and older people will be able to relax.”

Mayor of Southampton Councillor John Slade attended the ceremony where the Priest blessed the ground in preparation for the garden, said, “It’s a great project. The more we work together the better. It brings other cultures together and allows us to celebrate our differences and similarities.” Lord Lieutenant Mary Fagan echoed the opinions of all who attended in her speech, stating, “This is a great inspiration, you simply can’t stop it from working.”

Maxine Sims a garden designer who lectured the pupils at Sparsholt College said, “The scheme meant the pupils had to research Hindu religion, study horticultural aspects and produce a demanding design that caters for children and adults. This is a life project and they will leave College with practical skills.”

The designs submitted by the pupils focused on the religious influence of the Temple and looked at traditional Indian gardens that have been around since ancient times. In these gardens each plant represents a different deity, giving a strong ecological message and reinforcing the link between spirituality and nature. If you would like to see the designs and vote for your favourite please log onto www.debarneville.com. If you are interested in joining Sparsholt College you can log onto their website www.sparsholt.ac.uk or come to their open day in May.

Don't miss out the full story!! More from this on our new Pukaar Magazine coming out on April 1st 2007 Find out who won the competition and how work is progressing in the garden.