HOLSWORTHY & District Lions undertook some work of a very different nature last month.

June 30 saw the birthday of Karen Mitchell, wife of one of the Lions members. Robin, Karen’s husband and club spokesman said: “ We have always had this overgrown, weed ridden small patch of garden behind the house that Karen always hated, but never found the time to do anything about.”

Robin decided to organise a one-day garden makeover as a birthday surprise for his wife in the style of Alan Titchmarsh television programme ‘Ground Force’.

With a £100 donation to the Lions from himself, Robin and four members of the Lions arrived at the Mitchell home and the transformation began.

Work began at 9am and finished at 4pm, starting with clearing the area of weeds and collecting the necessary gravel. One of the Lions (a former builder) built a retaining block wall at the end of the garden and planks were used to terrace the slope.

Two tonnes of gravel were then deposited into the garden. Robin then planted a few pre-bought plants to add splashes of vibrancy and colour and to give his wife something to build on.

Robin said of Karen’s arrival home: “It is fair to say she was absolutely stunned and that all of the Lions were exhausted by the time it was done.”