A striking waterfall made from recycled plastic is drawing visitors to the churchyard of St John the Baptist in Boldre.
The ‘St John’s Waterfall Garden’ features a dramatic 40-foot waterfall cascading from the church tower into a blue plastic pool, surrounded by a meadow of more than 4,000 handmade flowers.
Created almost entirely from recycled materials donated by residents and local businesses, the installation is designed to symbolise baptism and the message of new life as well as environmental responsibility.
Project designer Steph Glen said “We wanted themes of water and renewal, reflecting what baptism achieves and bringing new life from old. We’ve used as many old, unwanted and recyclable materials as possible and given them new life. The waterfall is made from 3,000 shredded plastic bags and ropes. Lots of the flowers are made from plastic shopping bags, old clothing and 31 miles of scrap yarn and wool.”
The project took around nine months to complete, involving a core team of volunteers supported by friends and neighbours who knitted and crocheted flowers. Much of the work was carried out in a local barn that became a temporary workshop. It took a further week to erect the installation in the churchyard.
“It’s been a lovely community effort,” said Steph. “People have been knitting and crocheting like mad. It has brought people together in a really special way.”
Hand-crafted dragonflies, butterflies, fish, lilies and bulrushes are dotted throughout the display, while there are additional flower arrangements and creatures inside the church.
Steph added “I hope it will help people discover St John’s Church and I hope it will remind us all that we need to use plastic well. I hope people will think about the loveliness of the idea of renewal by baptism and how we can improve our lives and be better people.”
“The response has been wonderful but I’m happy for people to debate it. Our visitors book is full of the loveliest comments so, I’m really encouraged by that.”
The installation builds on last year’s Remembrance poppy cascade which featured nearly 5,000 handcrafted flowers.
Churchwarden Chris Knox said “The waterfall is intended to draw attention to John the Baptist, our Patron Saint, whose day falls on 28th June, when we will be holding our annual patronal evensong. The waterfall emphasises John’s call to the people to repent and be baptised and that, whilst he baptised with water, Jesus is coming and He will baptise with the Spirit. It is a spectacular creation.”
The installation will remain in place until 15th July and is open daily to visitors. Donations raised through the project will be shared between the church and two charities, CODA Music and Arts Trust, which provides creative opportunities and therapeutic arts programmes, and the Countryside Education Trust, which helps children connect with farming, food production and the natural world.
