The garden next to the Moulsford Prep playground had the most wonderful makeover during October half-term. The area has been transformed into a Wellbeing Garden, with friendship benches, a shepherd’s hut, vegetable and flower garden plots, and fruit trees, to create a genuinely calm and sensory space for all Moulsford pupils to enjoy past, present and future.

The garden will be known as ‘Bushy’s Wellbeing Garden’, in memory of Edward Bush (known as Bushy at Moulsford), who tragically died in 2021 following a road traffic accident. Edward joined Moulsford into Year 3 in 2012, and left the School in 2018, having been Head Boy. Edward’s mother, Annabel, was Head of Learning Support for over a decade and his two brothers, Harry and James left the School in 2017 and 2020 respectively. Edward’s Moulsford years were idyllic and the School holds a very special place in the family’s heart.  We were honoured that Annabel, Jon, Harry and James wanted to create a lasting legacy for Edward at Moulsford in the form of the garden, which will be enjoyed by Moulsford children for years to come.

Both the Bush family and the School are incredibly grateful to the Parents Association who so generously provided the significant funds for the landscaping of the garden, with this work being undertaken last academic year, and to Edward’s much adored godmother Lucy for all the beautiful trees, plants, bulbs and the shepherd’s hut.

Over half-term, Team Bush, supported by Moulsford parents, Old Moles, grandparents, godparents and staff, gathered at School to plant the garden. Clare Hobbs and Lucie Dutton (both past parents) were instrumental in the planning, which has been thought through so carefully, with every aspect of the garden’s design having a connection to Edward – for example, pinks and blues (his favourite colours), rosemary for remembrance, Annabelle hydrangeas, grasses for the Lion King, his Year 7 play – and one bed will pop up in Spring and bloom with red tulips and big Lion daffodils like a Moulsford blazer, around the time of Edward’s birthday. It is also very much for the enjoyment of the children, with plants called Little Monsters, funny shaped fruit, heart shaped leaves on the tree, and water mint which smells amazing.  Our great and heartfelt thanks to all who have been involved in making ‘Bushy’s Wellbeing Garden’ a reality.

You can view images of the planting here