Dave Peacock MBE was the driving force of Whickham Hermitage Community Garden.
It was Dave’s idea to restore and renew this local hidden treasure as the original Hermitage Garden had been unknown to the local community for about 60 years.
In 2002 Dave arranged a public meeting and formed a committee to gain planning permission and generate funding. Former plans for the site were to build a car park.
In 2003 a second public meeting was held where the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor David Lynn, ceremonially signed a 10-year tenancy document.
Between 2004 and 2006, the garden was extensively restored, by Dave and a team of dedicated volunteers. The original features from the old Hermitage (a lake, boathouse, bridge and a pagoda) were restored.
After years of hard work, Dave was delighted that the garden was ready to open! In 2006, Councillor Maureen Goldsworthy opened the garden.
The garden has won many awards of the years, thanks to the hard work of Dave and many volunteers.
In 2009, an MBE was awarded to Dave for his work and commitment in restoring the garden.
Sadly, Dave passed away in March 2021. Friends of the Garden know what a remarkable man he was, words here can’t really do him justice. Known for his innovation, determination and hard physical graft. He so richly deserved the award of his MBE.
Many of us have benefitted from his wealth of gardening knowledge and enjoyed his good-natured banter. He’ll be sorely missed by the volunteers, Friends of the Garden and his loving family. Whickham has lost a great local character.
Hundreds of tributes were shared across social media, with many visitors and garden friends expressing their admiration of Dave.
Dave’s daughter, Gillian Telfer, said: ”The garden was everything to him. It was absolutely derelict when he started but now you could not believe it is the same place. It is amazing now.”
Garden treasurer Charles Mears said: ”David was a unique individual who, once he had decided what he wanted to achieve, become totally focussed on achieving his goals. What made him special was his ability to carry with him people from all backgrounds despite the difficulties they encountered of bringing the garden from an overgrown ruin to the wonderful community facility it is today.”
Liz Twist MP for Blaydon, said: “Dave was a one-off and a real visionary. His vision was born from a quick leap over the garden wall to see what state the land was in, and from there it really took off.”