News From The Bedford, Morison and Cordery Almshouses

The Bedford Morison and Cordery Almshouses garden project is flourishing, bringing vibrant colour and improved spaces to the community. The gardens look greatly improved, with colour from bedding plants and private garden areas for those who wanted them. 

The new birdbath has now been installed. This is an original sculpted bird bath, created by a local sculpture group and inspired by the Almshouses' rich history. It was unveiled during the Garden Party in June 2025 by High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Nicholas Buxton.  We hope to have a similar base for the old pump in the garden to match.

The development and refurbishment of the garden continues and will enable the garden to be at its best all year round. The overall refurbishment work was planned to be carried out in three phases with the first phase a comprehensive tidy up of the existing garden with potted shrubs being planted in the ground to give them a new lease of life and greater structure to the garden design. This has been completed.

Phase 2 was to be planting of lavender borders and the rose beds as well as climbing plants to cover the pergola as well replenishing of the window boxes, and perennials in the flower beds to give as much colour as possible. Phase 3 will develop the back garden. Sunnyside Rural Trust have been commissioned to continue the upkeep of the garden.

Resident Wardens Adeline and Michael received resident feedback on the garden project so far and the residents are very pleased with the progress made on the gardens.