Funding Lightbox Garden Project

Since opening in 2007, Lightbox Gallery & Museum has welcomed over 1.5 million visitors and won a place in the heart of Woking’s community as a vital cultural hub for Surrey. Communities have enjoyed our acclaimed programme of exhibitions from Grayson Perry to Bridget Riley and our museum which celebrates Woking’s unique history.

Whilst we have won awards for the unique building designed by London Eye architect Marks Barfield the courtyard garden was never realised and currently is a large, tarmacked area experiencing strong winds, brambles and weeds. Over the last twenty years it has received committed maintenance by a team of volunteers who visit weekly and ensure it is a safe space for our community.

Funding is urgently required to work with our volunteers and community to transform this space into a major asset for and by the community - a space for everyone to enjoy, support well-being and sustain our living environment.

As a charity we raise funds for everything that we do, and we want to work with our community to create a space for everyone to have a safe and accessible place to reconnect with nature and each other.

There is a significant opportunity to address the desire of our community who want to create an oasis, a beautiful green space that is environmentally sustainable, connects with our heritage, and is a unique community courtyard in Woking’s urban town-centre between Victoria Way, the historic Basingstoke canal and opposite the World Wildlife Fund's headquarters. 

We will work in collaboration with different communities to shape the garden design ensuring it meets a wide range of needs and uses for everyone.

We will transform the harsh tarmacked space and create a contemplative green oasis that will be

·         A celebration of Surrey’s nursery garden history - Jack Marney (clematis) and Graham Stuart Thomas (roses) and gardeners such as Gertrude Jekyll.

·         Connected to Woking’s greenway infrastructure.

·         Family Friendly with areas for creative play.

·         Sensory and textured those living with Alzheimer’s.

·         Biodiverse, encouraging wildlife.

·         Pollution hardy planting using organic pest solutions and peat-free compost.

As a charity we raise funds for everything we do, and the total cost of the project is £159,000 and we are asking Your Fund Surrey for £90,000 towards the project.

Find out more on Your Fund Surrey Page and follow us on social media @thelightboxwoking