A memorial garden to the late Queen Elizabeth II has opened in a village near St Austell.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, joined representatives from St Mewan Parish Council and the community to officially open Trewoon’s Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Garden.

An under-used area of playing field has been turned into the garden, which the council hopes will be seen as a sensory delight with plants selected to calm the senses and attract wildlife.

“We all need places to sit and slow down a little,” said Cornwall councillor Michael Bunney. “The idea for this sensory garden came from the local community and it’s now a place where everyone can enjoy a moment of calm.”

Former parish councillor and chartered civil engineer Richard Wallis, who sketched out the garden’s original design, said: “It’s almost exactly as I sketched it. The path is a figure of eight. That’s both a symbol for Reiki healing and infinity - fitting for a garden designed as somewhere to connect and reflect. The pattern is also practical. Younger children can ride their bikes and scooters safely around it, while their parents watch on.”

The council said that the transformation was many years in the making and that, in addition to offering beautiful plants, paths and seating, the garden also encourages physical fitness with a range of pieces of permanent outdoor gym equipment.

"We renewed the children’s play area a few years ago with new equipment,” said parish clerk Wendy Yelland. “But with such a lot of under-used playing field, a small, grassed area was crying out for redevelopment. It’s also provided the community with a place to come to pick herbs and fruit.”

Deputy parish clerk Amanda Kendall said: “Seeing the garden brought to life from those early sketches makes all the effort worthwhile.”

After public consultation, the parish council secured a grant from Cornwall’s Good Growth Fund.

The fund is part of the government’s wider commitment to levelling up. Communities and places are one of the fund’s key priorities. Grants are available to support projects that make Cornwall’s economy more equal, resilient and prosperous.

Officially opening the garden, Colonel Bolitho said: “One of the great strengths of Cornwall is this community spirit we have. That sense of community is embodied in this garden.

“Trewoon is well ahead of the curve in opening this memorial garden. Our late Queen’s former private secretary, Lord Robin Janvrin, is heading a national memorial and legacy programme and looking for more initiatives exactly like this.

“I’m delighted to be here opening this garden and, in my own small way, helping foster that sense of community spirit.”

Edward Spencer, eight, from Polgooth, and Morley Nancarrow, four, from St Mewan, helped cut the ribbon.