Recently buoyed by a £8,000 donation from Tesco’s national Bags for Help scheme, the Thelma Hulbeert Gallery has been working to add new features to its community garden.

Work is progressing nicely on completing the community garden at Honiton’s Thelma Hulbert Gallery.

Recently buoyed by a £8,000 donation from Tesco’s national Bags for Help scheme, the gallery has been working to add new features to the garden, which was created by garden designer Anna Wardrop.

Recently, pupils from Littletown Primary Academy and Honiton Primary School have helped staff build a mosaic table.

Angela Blackwell, curator at the gallery, said: “We have lots of things going on in our garden which involve the community.

“The table is coming along nicely and will be a permanent feature of the garden. People can have their picnics on it.

“We will also be working towards a musical structure in the garden - it will be something a little bit different, and for the community.”

Angela said that she hopes work would begin on bringing everything together in Spring next year, but added that there is a lot of work happening ‘behind the scenes’.

Reflecting on 2016, Angela said: “It’s has been a great year for the gallery.

“The gold award at the Devon Tourism Awards was a real highlight, especially as it was for access and inclusivity.

“We try to make our art accessible for everyone - it’s a real goal of ours.”

Angela added that visitor numbers are up on last year, as is shop sales, and donations.

“We have had a really positive response with the work we have been doing with the garden,” she added.

“The Hallowe’en event and garden party were particularly well received.

“They will become annual events, with work already happening to plan the May party.”

For more information about the gallery, call the team on 01404 45006