Why a 'real-life' Easter garden has opened in Herefordshire

With Christians marking the Holy Week, and today being Good Friday, a group of volunteers from the Kington parish has created the "real-life" garden so people can learn about the story.

The church group, which includes St Mary’s Church in Kington, came up with the idea of creating a life-size Easter Garden, and people can walk through the churchyard, visiting sets including the empty tomb.

Ann Edwards, a churchwarden at St Mary’s Church, said: "We know that many people come to Church at Easter and will hear the story of the events of Holy Week leading to the resurrection on Easter Sunday.

"We hope that this will allow people a space to reflect quietly on the real meaning of Easter and the message of hope that it offers us.

"The lockdown and impact of the global pandemic has left many people feeling that there is less hope and we want to remind them that the church is still here and we offer comfort and hope.”

Rev Ben Griffith, vicar of the Kington parish, said: “Easter is such an important time of the year for Christians.

"My hope and prayer is that by walking through the Easter Garden people will have an opportunity to experience the events of the first Easter for themselves and by so doing find hope and inspiration.”