The generous team at Balens volunteer with Malvern Spa Association to tidy up Rose Gully: October 2025
Rose Gully is an ornamental water feature located on Back Lane in Great Malvern. On the
eastern side of the Waitrose supermarket car park, which towers over it, a steep flight of steps
leads down to the Lane. The spring previously fed a large well on Edith Walk called Priors
Vineyard Spring. Supplied with water from Happy Valley, in the 11th century the well was used to
water the terraced vineyards of the Benedictine Priory that were then on this site. In 1999, when
the supermarket was built, the well disappeared. Upon discovering large underground collection
tanks, it was agreed that the water should be channelled to a new outlet, and thus Rose Gully
was built. The name was chosen after a popular vote, “Rose” being the latter part of the
supermarket’s name and “Gully” as a nod to the famous Dr Gully of Malvern’s water cure fame.
The water is not drinkable, but it collects in the large stone trough below the spout and is a
resource for wildlife. The feature, and the tall retaining walls behind, should have been built with
Malvern stone, but when no one realised it was no longer available in large quantities, Forest of
Dean stone was used instead as a close match. Although the stones show similarities, it’s
interesting to compare the differences between them – Malvern rocks are more complex.
Waitrose is responsible for the upkeep of the feature and surrounding gardens, but unfortunately
it had been in need of attention for some time, and we were contacted by members of the public
who reported that the plant beds were in a terrible condition, the basin was leaking, and the
surrounding areas were in desperate need of a tidy up.
Luckily, the organisation Malvern Hills Volunteering, which is part of Community Action Malvern,
put us in touch with a company called Balens Ltd, which has a branch office in the town, and staff
who wanted to volunteer to carry out projects that would benefit the local community. Established
75 years ago, Balens specialises in insurance for the beauty, health and wellbeing industry. The
team were inspired by the aligned interests of the health and wellbeing industry, and Malvern’s
spring water and the health benefits it is famous for. This passion for community and wellbeing
connected Balens to the MSA, asking how they could lend a hand. MSA President Carly Tinkler
suggested giving Rose Gully the spruce up it deserves. The local team said they would be
delighted to get their hands dirty and make the gardens bloom once again!
In early October, with the help of local gardener and Permaculture expert Nyrees Titchener, five
members of Malvern’s Balens team tidied up the area, removing rubbish, cutting back brambles,
weeding around the trough, and uncovering flower beds under the dead and dying shrubs. They
improved the soil, then planted new shrubs, perennials, annuals and bulbs, ensuring a display
throughout the year that will also benefit wildlife. After a hard day’s work, Rose Gully looked completely refreshed and refined – a worthy stop for Great Malvern’s sight-seers and a more
attractive route for residents.
The team said they really enjoyed their voluntary day with the MSA, especially getting out of the
office and into the fresh air, and learning more about Malvern water’s natural and cultural history.
The MSA is certainly delighted with the results, and very grateful for Balen’s generosity and the
hard work of the volunteers: Emma, Max, Scott, Susan and Claire.
Written by Rhiannon Keen, PR and Social Media officer for Malvern Spa Association