DOWNTON Abbey star Hugh Bonneville was guest of honour at the opening of the Forget Me Not garden for nurses and staff at Petersfield Hospital.

And to make the occasion even more memorable, he cut the ribbon to open the garden with it’s donated summer house, crafted wooden benches, and garden furniture.

Mr Bonneville said: “Over the past year this small, friendly hospital has risen to the Covid challenge, at one point having to double capacity, with moments of respite for staff becoming increasingly important.

“With incredible volunteer support and donations from hospital staff, patients’ families, the local community and the foundation set up by Captain Sir Tom Moore, the ‘bit of grass outside’ has been transformed into a haven of tranquillity for staff to take a moment and relax.

“Thank you to everyone at Petersfield Hospital for all you do. Thank you, NHS.”

The garden was idea of health care support worker Sarah Deakins and consultant nurse Julian Cavalier.

Last summer the nursing duo were honoured by Petersfield Lions for arranging in five days an outdoor wedding in Cedar Ward garden at the hospital.

They organised the ceremony after Sandra Weston accepted terminally ill patient David Platt’s unplanned proposal to his long-term partner of 34 years.

Sadly David has since passed away.

But on hearing the proposal to turn part of the hospital garden into a relaxation area for staff, his wife asked that it could also be a memorial garden for him.

Sarah said that it would be somewhere nurses and therapy staff could chill out, and “remember those we have lost,” and “sip our coffee and have a moment to refresh and reflect.”

Hugh Bonneville is currently working on a sequel to the 2019 Downton Abbey film. It is being shot mainly in Hampshire.