This Fareham family started a community rock garden which now has more than 100 colourful creations
IT STARTED as a way to keep the children entertained for a few hours - but a few colourful rocks placed in a Fareham park have grown into a community rock garden.
Inspired by a Canadian artist on Instagram, mum-of-two Jenni McVicar set up the idea at Fareham Leisure Centre, with help from budding artist Lillith, six, and 10-month-old Quinn.
The creative family, who used to join in with finding the rocks hidden around Portchester Castle, painted half a dozen rocks in a variety of designs including the popular rainbow along with a rubber duck and a frog.
Along with a sign to encourage others to paint their own stones to add to the rock garden, they left them under a tree in the field on April 1 and soon many more were added.
Jenni said: ‘We wanted to brighten people’s days in these difficult times. It’s really taken off and there’s about 100 rocks now.
‘It kept the kids occupied for an hour or so painting rocks - it started off as something for the kids to do, thankfully other people have joined in.
‘It’s really taken off and the amount of people that have joined in is brilliant. We see people stood there taking pictures next to it and get a sense of achievement that we started that.’
The family often walks around the field for their daily exercise, so they have loved watching the collection grow.
When out riding their bikes the other day, a couple were looking at the rocks and Lillith proudly told them she started the rock garden.
Jenni has been getting some great feedback online with people around the area sharing it on Facebook groups and setting up their own rock gardens where they live.
One of Lillith’s teacher from Harrison Primary School was inspired by the idea and recreated it by a postbox near her home.
Jenni said: ‘It’s such a lovely idea, to see so many people have joined in is really nice, I never thought it would be over 100.’