A COMMUNITY farm near Rugby will be able to better benefit local schoolchildren with special educational needs and disabilities following the opening of its new sensory garden.
May Blossom Farm welcomed Mayor Barbara Brown to open the new garden.
The sensory garden provides a space where visitors with disabilities and additional needs can have their sensory needs met and enjoy nature. It was developed with funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund and Cummins Inc.
Located just to the south of Rugby, May Blossom Farm – which operates as a Community Interest Company – runs an Alternative Provision for children in secondary school, and offers other educational and green care sessions for groups from Rugby and surrounding areas.
The opening day event also celebrated the life of Dr Rex Pogson, one of May Blossom Farm CIC’s founding directors, with a commemorative plaque installed on the garden’s storytelling chair by his widow Marion.
Dr Pogson, who died in 2024, was Headmaster of Lawrence Sheriff School from 1985 to 1998, and was active in the community through his work and support for community groups including The Bradby Club, The Rotary Club of Rugby and St Andrew’s Church.
May Blossom Farm Directors Hannah Priest and John Frenett said, “We were so pleased to welcome the Mayor, our funders, and so many of our regular visitors to the farm to help us celebrate this major milestone that will help May Blossom Farm bring even wider benefits to our community.
“We also welcomed this opportunity to honour the late Dr Rex Pogson, one of our founding directors, whose support and strategic vision was so vital to us in our start-up period.”
