The sun came out in Street this weekend for the official opening of the new sensory garden in Merriman Park - and residents turned out in force to celebrate the latest addition to one of the village's best-loved green spaces.

Created by the Merriman Park Community Group with support from landscape designer Kate Carr and a host of community partners, the garden is designed as a peaceful, accessible space to help people engage with nature through sight, sound, scent and texture.

After months of fundraising, planning and planting, the garden was officially opened by Mike Linham, Kate and Cllr Adrian Sparkes — marking the culmination of a project that's seen support from across the local community.

Despite a gloomy forecast, the weather held for a day of relaxed celebrations in the park. Local favourites Olly's Lollies and Park Fish & Chips opened especially for the occasion, keeping the crowds cool and fed, while YMCA Brunel Group brought giant games to keep families entertained.

Also on hand were Street's newest party entertainers, arriving in full costume to bring some extra colour — and plenty of photo ops — to the event.

Organisers described the opening as a huge success and thanked everyone who turned out to mark the day. Extra photos are expected to follow soon.

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The sensory garden now offers a dedicated corner of calm within Merriman Park, with features designed to benefit everyone from young children to older residents and neurodivergent visitors — part of a growing push to make Street's public spaces more inclusive and engaging for all.