ARROW Valley Countryside Centre is to get a new sensory play garden – with a little help from a Batchley school.

Pupils from Pitcheroak Special School have been working with Redditch Council to design the new garden. A landscape architect has planned the garden based on their ideas. It will feature a copper water fountain which has been installed in the centre’s pond, sensory planting, tactile walls, outdoor musical instruments and brightly-coloured play equipment. There will also be storytelling and covered areas plus a trail within the centre’s grounds.

The children have been working with teachers, artists and the council’s play rangers to produce items for the garden. These include dreamcatchers, copper work for the fountain and walls and willow sculptures.

Money for the project has come from Worcestershire Play Partnership. It is the first time the partnership has funded a sensory play garden. The garden will be open to all. It is due to be completed by the end of September. Pitcheroak teacher Bev Savage, said: “This has been a marvellous opportunity for the pupils to work with a range of artists and to learn new skills. We are all proud to think that our work will be enjoyed by the people of Redditch for years to come.”

Councillor Peter Anderson, the council’s portfolio holder for leisure, said: “I am looking forward to seeing this garden. It should be interesting to see how users react to this new kind of play facility. If it is popular, then hopefully we will be able to install others around the borough.”