A NEW garden is being constructed in Chorley’s Astley Park to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

The ‘Garden of Reflection’, which will provide a covered performance area in Astley Park’s Walled Garden, is now starting to take shape.

The garden is being created by gold-medal winning designer and Chorley resident John Everiss and would be a major new attraction at the award-winning Chorley Flower Show on 28 and 29 July.

Cllr Peter Wilson, deputy leader of Chorley Council, said: “We have been looking to create an outdoor performance area and this ties in really well with the flower show and the timing means it is fitting for the design to be based around reflection given it is 100 years since the end of the First World War.

“It’s already starting to take shape and it will be a great addition to the park and will be one of the major attraction’s at this year’s flower show and people are already buying tickets to come and see it when it opens. The new garden will be a place where people can sit and reflect but it also means we can bring more entertainment to the park and make even better use of the Walled Garden, which looks stunning.”

The £100,000 project will be funded by the Armed Forces Covenant fund meaning it will also be a lasting tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives during the conflict.

The garden has a covered stage area with seating and a stone carving of a soldier reflecting as he takes a break from his duties. The features will be based around material and planting from The Somme where many Chorley residents lost their life in battle.

Designer John Everiss, who lives in Chorley and has won medals at the country’s top shows, said: “It’s been an honour to get involved in this project after the success of The Evaders’ Garden and I hope people hold it in the same regard.

“We’ve done a lot of work to ensure it ties in with the commemoration of the First World War and with elements of the garden taken from where many of the Chorley Pals lost their life it adds poignancy.

“The timber frames that will provide a structure for the stage are already in place and we’re making good progress.”

The garden will be officially opened at Chorley Flower Show on Saturday and Sunday 28 and 29 July and discounted advance tickets are on sale now at chorleyflowershow.com.