At the end of 2007 we sadly bade farewell to John and Jenny Frye, founders of the Rectory Garden, Bothasig. They have now retired from full time ministry and re-located to the other side of Cape Town. We shall always be grateful to God for their faithful and inspired leadership in introducing us to the joys of meeting with God through centering prayer.

We needed to find a new venue and other leadership to enable the Quiet Garden ministry to continue in our area. One of our members, Carol-Anne, has a gift and passion for gardening and offered her beautiful garden to us. The name Cottage Garden of Prayer and Serenity aptly describes our new venue. This is a garden with nooks and corners, each furnished with a wooden bench or chair, where as many as twenty people can sit, each in relative privacy and comfort.

Our programme is drawn up by representatives of four different denominations in our area. We still meet once a month on a Saturday morning. Sandy Sieborger

Soon after my husband, Jeremy died so suddenly I moved the 200 miles from Kent to Hereford; I wondered how the link with Quiet Garden would continue. From the many opportunities offered to the two of us, in a large Oast House and nearly an acre of garden bounded by open country on two sides, I found myself living alone for the first time ever, with a tiny garden, and manageable modern home. However three different people pointed me towards Margaret, who, like me, had been recently widowed and moved from Kent to this area.

We became prayer partners, and with her sister Christine, began to plan Quiet Days in our own homes and local venues. Recently I was offered to an opportunity to lead a workshop on the use of calligraphy and painting in sharing the Christian message at the Diocesan Conference. Under the title West Herefordshire Days Apart the link with the Quiet Garden movement continues. Jill Lawson