Men’s Sheds has officially unveiled Hartland’s Retreat, a vibrant new garden space designed to support wellbeing, creativity and connection among its members. Set in the heart of Hartland Village, the retreat combines nature and craftsmanship to create a haven for personal growth and friendship.
The charity, which champions social inclusion by providing spaces for men to meet, make and learn through practical projects, has transformed the garden with an impressive suite of handmade features. These include a greenhouse, raised planters, bespoke benches and habitats for birds and bees. Even old bathtubs have been cleverly repurposed into flourishing garden beds.
In a further gesture of community spirit, the team built a dedicated planter for Berkeley staff to nurture their own seedlings - sunflowers being an early favourite.
The Men’s Shed continues to serve as a welcoming space for local men to hone new skills, combat isolation and form lasting connections.
Kevin Holmes, Trustee and Chairman of Hartland Men's Shed, remarked: “This collaboration is a great opportunity for us to help more men within the local community. It’s a place to grow - plants, friendships and confidence alike.”
The event was attended by Alex Brewer, MP for North East Hampshire and Tom Pocock, Managing Director, Berkeley St Edward.
Paul Vallone, Executive Chairman, St Edward, added: “We’re proud to support Men’s Sheds in bringing Hartland’s Retreat to life. It’s more than just a garden - it’s a space where friendships flourish, skills are shared and the community grows stronger together.”
Hartland’s Retreat is open for all, and Men’s Sheds welcomes new members and visitors to experience the space, lend a hand or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Once a pioneering jet engine testing facility, this 200-acre brownfield site was disused for almost a decade. Today, it’s being transformed into a green and welcoming village, with 1,500 private and affordable homes, a primary school, nursery, café, shops, community space and a traditional village green.
Berkeley Group specialises in brownfield regeneration, working closely with local communities and councils to revive underused land and create good green homes where they are needed most.
The company is the only major UK homebuilder to focus on brownfield land, as it transforms 32 of the country’s most challenging large scale sites.
Find out more about Berkeley’s approach to brownfield regeneration.