YORKSHIRE GARDENS TRUST NEWSLETTER

Issue 24 New Series 7 Winter 2009 Inside this issue: The New YGT Shield Winner Chairman’s Letter 2 The YGT shield was pre- having had a family and keep of our site. sented to Tracy Ledger, a decided on a career, she Tracy volunteered for Hackfall 3 full-time student at Park has made the effort to special projects and Lane College, Leeds in enrol on a practical, found a work placement Climate Change 7 June 2008 to mark her starter course to help that took her into employ- achievement as student of further her ambitions. ment over the summer. Temple Newsam 8 the Year whilst studying for Tracy is always happy Now back at college for a an NVQ 1 in horticulture. when she is working. She further year to study for a Book Reviews 9 The shield was presented is enthusiastic, willing higher course Tracy con- by Christine Walkden, the and a great team player. tinues to be an out- Jackson’s Wold 10 BBC TV gardener from the She is always willing to standing student. The ‘One Show’ at the annual help fellow students – award was well deserved. Visit to Malton 10 award ceremony for the even the more challeng- Our reward was seeing Horticulture and Conserva- ing ones – and takes a the surprise and delight Committee Round-up 12 tion students in the Voca- keen interest in the up- that shone in Tracy’s face tional Education when she ac- Wentworth Study Day 14 Department. cepted the shield for successfully Midsummer Picnic 14 Tracy was given completing her the award to mark NVQ level 1. We School Gardens & YGT 15 her outstanding wish her a very achievements as a successful ca- Beacon Hill 17 “returner to educa- reer in the fu- tion”, having left ture. Refugee Visit to H Carr 18 school without qualifications or a Liz Simson A Day in Malton 19 career goal. Now,

Wentworth 19 Left to right: Mike Ashdown, Peter Wood, Tracy Ledger and Liz Simson. Mike, Peter and Liz all are tutors in Horticulture and Conservation at Park Lane College, Leeds. Small Grants Scheme 19

Note from the Editor: I would like once again to thank all those for contributing to this Newsletter and I want to quote from a letter from one of our Members, Wendy Watson, which sums it up: ‘I felt that I had to congratulate all concerned with the production of the Summer newsletter. The contents were excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it...I do miss my contact and outings with the YGT but the excellent newsletter helps enormously to keep in touch’.

Wednesday 20th May, 2009 - Harewood House near Leeds YGT is hosting a special Study Day in the historic Stables Courtyard at Harewood. This will be a unique opportunity to learn about the early varieties of Auriculas and Tulips which were among the popular Florists’ flowers shown to perfection during the 18th and 19th centuries. Both the Ancient Society of York Florists and the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society will be represented. Anne Wilkinson, author of The Passion for Pelargoniums 2007 is going to lecture on the development of the Pelargonium as a Florist’s Flower and Trevor Nicholson, Head Gar- dener at Harewood and recipient of last year’s Professional Gardener of the Year award, will talk about the plants used in the famous Barry Parterre at Harewood. Afterwards we shall have the opportunity to explore the beautiful Himalayan rock garden (officially to be opened on May 15th after its restoration) at a perfect time of year when many rare plants will be at their best. Price £65 to include parking, entrance to the gardens, refreshments through- out the day and a delicious two course lunch. This really is a day not to be missed! PAGE 2 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 Chairman’s Letter—January 2009

This year sees the bicentenary of ica) for meat and eating the plentiful an abundance of knowledgeable Charles Darwin who was born on wild berries. February 12th 1809 and the 150th naturalists and conservationists, they have few and government funding for anniversary of his Origin of the Spe- Berberis darwinii was a shrub I eas- cies. Look out for the series of Dar- ily recognized being one of the fin- conservation is not forthcoming in win related lectures in the York Phi- est flowering shrubs we grow in our poor countries such as these. gardens today; we too ate the ber- losophical Society’s current pro- We were fortunate to explore Chile’s gramme including one in March de- ries, often marinated in liqueur. With few remaining natural forests where Spanish rule virtually all the native livered by Peter Goodchild, our Vice indigenous trees have survived due to tribes were killed or fell victim to -President. In 1831 Darwin accom- the setting up of National Parks. European diseases. Cruelly labelled panied Captain Robert FitzRoy as Close to the Argentinean border, be- savages and heathens, they were in gentleman’s companion on board neath a snow capped volcano, I got to HMS Beagle bound for South Amer- fact spiritual human beings whose hug my 1,000 year old monkey puzzle ica. FitzRoy had been commis- religious affinity belonged to mother sioned by the British Admiralty to earth ‘Pachamama’. Darwin was tree (Araucaria araucana) and see survey the unknown territory around awestruck by the Fuegians, (the healthy young babies growing be- the Magellan Strait and Darwin, the people of Tierra del Fuego) naked neath its prickly canopy. The trunks of young naturalist, seized the oppor- primitive men unlike any he had the Monkey Puzzle were used for tunity for his scientific observations. seen before. He pondered the ability ships masts and the magnificent These observations were to change between a Fuegian and Isaac New- Alerce pine (Fitzroya cupressoides) to him from the carefree young man ton: “I believe if the world was construct shingle houses. During co- that he was into a questioning sci- searched, no lower grade of man lonial rule forests were ravaged and entist edging towards his theory of could be found” (note the under- species like these became virtually natural selection. tones of evolution by natural selec- extinct. tion and what this could imply). Although the Galapagos Islands and As an active forward thinking Garden its finches are generally thought to FitzRoy, however, during his previ- Trust I like to think we are treading be the place where Darwin experi- ous adventure to South America, new ground - staging lectures such as enced his eureka moment, Patago- had felt a certain respect for the In- the recent one on the effects of cli- nia was where he most probably dians until a group of them stole one mate change on our native trees first became aware of it while col- of his boats. His revenge was to given by Alan Simson at Leeds Uni- lecting huge numbers of fossils, kidnap four young Fuegians whom versity, our continued work in creatures and plants. It was not until he took back to England to be edu- schools, educating children in garden- 1859 that he finally published Origin cated. Much to his chagrin Boat ing and horticultural science, award- of the Species, a book that would Memory (Indian names could not be ing grants to good causes focused on question the very roots of Christian- pronounced by the sailors, so new preserving and beautifying our his- ity and transform our thinking on the ones were invented) died of small- toric parks and gardens which are laws of nature. In autumn of last pox but Fuegia Basket, the only fe- havens for wildlife and vital to the well year, Martin and I spent an amazing male, was, remarkably, presented at -being of local communities. month in southern Chile, often trav- court. FitzRoy had always promised In this year of Darwin let us remem- elling through places where Darwin to return them to their families and ber his deep love of plants; he was, had visited such as the mystical Is- this he fulfilled on the second voy- after all, a gardener himself who stud- land of Chiloe and the vast barren age with Darwin. It was hoped that ied the biology of orchids and carnivo- plains of Patagonia. Jemmy Button whom Darwin de- scribed as a dandy, could evangel- rous plants and was fascinated by the In Vol 111 of The Voyage of the ise the rest of the Fuegians but this habits of climbing plants. These he Beagle 1839 Darwin wrote: “No one turned out to be a lost cause. bred in his greenhouse at Down can stand unmoved in these soli- House a place he loved, and where tudes, without feeling that there is Having travelled through Peru, Bra- his final book (on earthworms) was more in man than the mere breath zil and Chile during the last few written. Darwin taught us that through of his body ….In calling up images years I have never been more the power of simple observation we of the past, I find the plains of Pata- aware of the beauty of our British too can embrace his elegant theory of gonia most frequently cross before landscape and its great heritage. natural selection and understand that my eyes”. In this hauntingly beauti- Yes, we too have felled forests and with change all species, including our- ful landscape whose broad horizons ploughed up meadows but nothing selves can adapt. I wish you happy stretch to the mighty Andes, I on the scale as that wrought by times in 2009 and thank you for your sensed a chilling sadness; perhaps Europeans, particularly the Spanish continued support. it was the ghosts of the Indian tribes on South America. Where we have Penelope Dawson-Brown who had lived here in harmony with repaired our countryside to make it nature, hunting the Guanaco (a spe- one huge and beautiful garden, they cies of camel native to South Amer- have not; while we are blessed with PAGE 3 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24

Ancient monkey puzzle trees in the Chilean Andes mountains. Their nutritious seeds were valued by the In Patagonia Darwin was drawn by the guanaco "an elegant ani- early tribes mal in a state on nature, with a long slender neck and fine legs" HACKFALL, 1980 – 2010. Observations on a Historic Park and Garden’s transition from abandonment into a major public asset Hackfall is an English Heritage reg- pin, Arthur Young, William Beckford, Studley Estate sold the wood and istered Grade I Historic Park and James Plumtre, William Wordsworth farmland in March 1933 to a timber Garden (1991), it is designated as to name but a very few who wrote of merchant John Green (having failed a Site of Special Scientific Interest their travels. Views were painted by to interest the National Trust who by English Nature (Oct 1989), Har- Turner, Devis, Dall and Nicholson and refused it on the grounds of lack of rogate Borough Council designated others. Catherine the Great, ruler of endowment). There now began 50 it as a Conservation Area (April the Russian empire, commissioned a years of decline after many of the 1993), and there are 5 Grade ll* or ll 944 piece dinner and dessert service great trees were felled and timber Listed Buildings (June1987): from Wedgwood (1773) painted with extraction caused much destruction • Banquet House ll* 1244 views of Britain of which 5 or 6 to the elaborate water systems. • Fisher’s Hall ll representations of English Gardens Four years later in 1937 Hackfall • Mowbray Castle ll were of Hackfall. In 1792 the Hon was sold again, this time the wood- • Rustic Temple ll John Byng (later fifth Viscount Tor- land was split from the farmhouse and also Hackfall Farmhouse ll, the rington), stated in The Torrington Dia- and pastures situated between home of the writer from where over ries that ‘There is so much to admire, Masham road and the top of the a period of 25 years the saving and so much to celebrate, that I know not gorge. Hackfall now became a com- restoration of Hackfall has been ob- how to proceed in description, or to mercial farm and woodland. served. speak half in praise due to Hackfall’ all this despite getting well soaked by Times again changed when World Hackfall as a designed landscape the rain that ‘began to rattle on the War II broke out, there was no came into being around 1750 follow- leaves’. longer an Estate workforce to tend ing the purchase of land at Grewelt- to the visions of William Aislabie horpe in 1731 by John Aislabie pri- and the decline continued, now marily as an investment - farmland mainly enjoyed by locals it fell into to lease out, woodland for timber, obscurity and was forgotten beyond quarries for stone and tufa for grot- the area, nature and wildlife took toes at Studley. Following John’s over. Vandalism increased the dete- death his son William recognised rioration as the lead was stolen from the potential of the delightful secret the roof of the Banquet House, a fire gorge dropping steeply to the mean- was started in Fisher’s Hall and the dering River Ure. He began to de- roof destroyed. Landslips gradually velop a romantic landscape and filled Fountain Pool with mud and create another garden of interna- sludge; constant water damage tional significance. The woodland caused further collapses to the cas- provided the perfect setting for Wil- cades on Grewelthorpe Beck and the pools drained away. The tree liam’s paths and vistas leading to Rev J Swete watercolour (1786) courtesy romantic follies, eye catchers, Bill Barber growth obscured the views and vis- breathtaking water features and tas so carefully planned in the valley cascades. by William. Hackfall remained a popular tourist There are many travellers’ accounts attraction until social changes due to The 1980’s saw a re-emergence of and guide books of the wonders of World War I and the Great Depres- interest in Hackfall. The campaign Hackfall, Dr R Pococke, William Gil- sion meant that the owners of the (Continued on page 4) PAGE 4 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 HACKFALL, 1980 – 2010 cont. (Continued from page 3) It soon became clear that a suitable work was carried out by WT to the for Studley Royal Water Gardens partner must be found, and in 1989 footpaths, boundaries and tree fell- and Fountains Abbey drew attention the Woodland Trust was able to ob- ing. tain a 999 year lease with major fund- The Millennium brought in a new ing assistance from the District, vision for Hackfall with the potential County, English Nature and Hackfall of finance from the Heritage Lottery Trust. The Landmark Trust became Fund (HLF). HT backed by WT ne- interested in restoring the Banquet House, the principle building of the landscape, as one of their holiday cottages.

The 1990’s were the years of pro- gress and setbacks. A working group consisting of Woodland Trust (WT), Hackfall Trust (HT) and Landmark Trust (LT) was backed by officers Derelict Banquet House 1980's from Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) and North Yorkshire County to other Aislabie creations. In par- Council (NYCC), and specialists from ticular the publication ‘Mr Aislabie’s English Heritage (EH) and English Fishers Hall Gardens’ by The New Arcadians in Nature (EN). 1981 raised the importance of Stud- gotiated with all parties and the ley Royal, Hackfall and Kirkby To an outsider it often seemed like Landscape Agency (LA) was com- Fleetham. Patrick Eyres publication three paces forward and two back as missioned to produce a Conserva- in 1986 of ‘Hackfall: A Sublime the implications of the SSSI were tion Management Plan (2002). This Landscape’ describes the awe in- considered related to the restoration was approved and the LA was once spiring piece of untamed nature of listed buildings, views and vistas more commissioned, this time to where William embellished the and the reinstatement of water fea- submit a detailed bid to HLF. A ‘natural Sublime with Picturesque tures. As planning permission for the scheme of just under a million features’ in the now almost van- Banquet House to be restored to a LT pounds was eventually agreed in ished site. In 1987 once again holiday cottage was obtained the 2006. Permission was finally Hackfall came up for sale with a natural economic downturn impacted granted in 2007 to start the project threat of commercial development. on their resources that had to be con- work, which was basically funded, centrated on a commendable Italian by HLF, HT, WT and other donors. A group of local businessmen villa restoration project. Almost 30 separate consents were headed by The Rt. Hon James needed to be sought from a wide Ramsden formed Hackfall Trust to The biggest blow was the dramatic group of statutory bodies before any negotiate with the vendor and to collapse of the Banquet House Ter- works could take place on site. raise funds for the purchase of race retaining wall. This had been Hackfall in order to fully restore this undermined by rabbit warrens and The Banquet House: The restora- important piece of Yorkshire Heri- beech tree roots and over a two week tion of the Terrace and the upturn in tage. period collapsed down the steep the economic market enabled LT to slope towards the remains of Foun- launch an appeal and the quality tain Pond below. Initially there was a restoration of the Banquet House fear that the whole hillside was on the took place. A revised road entrance move taking the Banquet House with was agreed and access negotiated it. However geological surveys re- across the private farmland for the moved that fear and funding from EH restoration and long term use by and HT covered the cost of reinstate- holiday couples. The basic stone ment in modern construction. A rein- structure of the original kitchen was forced concrete retaining wall was consolidated and a parking place constructed with 10 metre piles driven agreed. The first holiday couple ar- into the hillside. This was faced with rived in February 2005. rescued original stone which was hauled dramatically back up the hill- Hackfall Parking and Access: side. The park and garden had only pe- destrian access at the Grewelthorpe Basic restoration works to consolidate and Masham extreme ends of the the buildings were carried out to Fish- estate. Detailed negotiations took ers Hall and the Rustic Temple, place and eventually minor modifi- Rt Hon James Ramsden funded again by EH and HT, other (Continued on page 5) PAGE 5 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24

(Continued from page 4) more evident. Conservation Management Plan Water Features: These vary from clearly covers important issues re- the might and delight of the River Ure and its tributaries to the devel- oped Aislabie creations. In particular

Restored Banquet House, courtesy of LT Fountain Pond cations were carried out at Grewelt- horpe and a new car park for 12 vehi- cles was negotiated at the Masham Top Pond at Grewelthorpe Entrance end with the adjoining owner.

Views and Vistas: James Ramsden developed everyone’s enthusiasm for re-establishing the vistas when he negotiated and implemented the stun- ning view of the River Ure to the pros- pect of Masham Church from Lime- house Hill in 2005. This was achieved as it was in the 1700’s with the col- laboration of the neighbouring Swin- ton estate. View to Mowbray Castle from Terrace

Within the historic park other vistas and views were gradually established over three seasons: from the Banquet

Alum Springs

lated to the importance of the biodi- versity of the site.

In all the works planned due consid- eration was given to the most ap- propriate season for the work and

View to Banquet House from Fountain Pond

the Fountain Pond area was re- established, the silt removed and the central fountain island cleared. View from Limehouse Hill Forty Foot Fall was cleared and its water course along with the famous House to the Reflecting Pool Alum Springs re-established. At the View across Fountain Pond (Fountain Pond), Fishers Hall and Grewelthorpe entrance the series of Mowbray Castle, Kent’s Seat view to reservoirs and cascades were re- every effort was made to protect the Alum Springs is in place as is the structured along Grewelthorpe and enhance the habitat of the wide view from the Grotto to Forty Foot Beck. variety of species in the semi- Fall, and the famous view that Turner natural broadleaved woodland. In painted from Sandbed Hut is now Ecological considerations: The (Continued on page 6) PAGE 6 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 HACKFALL, 1980 – 2010 cont.

(Continued from page 5) Kent’s Seat – practically hidden by The view from the windows is now particular for rare flora including ferns, ferns and undergrowth the few re- of the clear waters of Fountain Pond mosses and lichen, bats and the in- maining stones still in place were and the three Romanesque apses sect and mollusc population minimum of the Banquet House perched high disturbance and natural materials al- above on the Terrace. The area is ways a priority. not lawned or manicured as it would have been, nature has been left to Folly Restoration: Every effort was recover and rare plants and species made to engage traditional craftsmen can be found such as Toothwort. and carry out work using existing and rescued materials Sandbed Hut and the Gate Pillars – Mowbray Castle – This was by far the near the banks of the Ure and Lime- most difficult restoration with the en- house Hill the lost footings of Sand- tire Castle swathed inside and out in bed Hut lurked in the undergrowth

Kent’s Seat cleared from the tangle and this once important arbour designed viewing the Alum Springs, was given a new lease of life. The roof has not been replaced for fear of vandalism but enough of the stone- work has been rebuilt and a bench seat installed to recreate the con- cept. Craftsmen and Rustic Temple

YGT Members 'advising' Stonemason The Grotto – heaps of tufa com- pletely overgrown by harts tongue and the once massive stone gate scaffolding for over a year, the con- fern and moss were hardly recog- pillars that marked the entrance solidation work was accomplished by nisable as the Grotto, the gothic gates lay broken in the brambles. John Maloney and his team of stone- cave like structure with the unex- There is no record of Sandbed Hut masons and supervised by the con- pected view of the Forty Foot Fall. apart from its name, so about 4 servation architect Linda Lockett. The tufa has been dug up from the courses of stonework have been Painstaking work was carried out to surrounding ground and the walls rebuilt to reproduce the footprint and stabilise the structure and retain its rebuilt to roof height, a bench has give visitors the opportunity to stand role as one of the main eye catchers been designed to the pattern of the where Turner stood to sketch the of Hackfall, re-established by remov- one in the Victorian postcards, and scene for his painting. The gate pil- ing obscuring trees. the main arch of the roof may be lars have been rescued and now rebuilt in the near future. stand to mark where the gates and fence separated the areas that were The Rustic Temple – earlier consoli- grazed from the new gardens. dation work has now been com- This summer Hackfall and all its pleted with the restoration of the restored features should really crenellations to the top of the walls. come into a quality reflection of its original Aislabie concept. The Land- scape Agency's team of landscape architects, landscape historians, hydrologists and ecologists have been recognised for the 6 year res- toration with the Landscape Award at the RIBA White Rose Awards 2008. The provision of a warden for five years will ensure that it will be appreciated by many into and be- yond the next decade. HT and WT as co-lessees are jointly obliged under the terms of the HLF contract

The Grotto with new Bench Seat (Continued on page 7) Mowbray Castle Work in Porgress PAGE 7 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24

(Continued from page 6) more so than the Rt. Hon James care of: The Rt Hon James to maintain Hackfall for at least 25 Ramsden and his wife Juliet (our ex Ramsden – St Michaels House, years Vice-President). It has been James’ High St Agnesgate, Ripon, HG4 persistent love, vision and patience In conclusion it is fascinating to ob- 1QR. • serve that Hackfall ultimately has that has given Hackfall a new and LT website for holiday lettings is been rescued primarily by three extended life for many generations to www.landmarktrust.org.uk come and all visitors to Hackfall are • charitable/volunteer/professional WT website is trusts. Our appreciation goes to the greatly indebted to James and his www.woodlandtrust.org.uk three Trusts of Hackfall, Landmark family. Alison Brayshaw and Woodland being indicative of the whole Gardens Trust movement • in the last century and through into HT is building up a maintenance this. Over the last three decades endowment and voluntary contri- many people have been involved in butions for this purpose will be the saving of Hackfall but none gratefully accepted. Please send them made out to Hackfall Trust Climate Change – will it affect the Trees of our Region

Talk by Alan Simson, Reader which may be mitigated by the plant- sential character. An area of con- in Landscape Architecture and ing of woodland on the upland areas cern is the HLF funding criteria, Urban Forestry, because this has the effect of re- which is still insistent upon original Leeds Metropolitan University straining and flattening the flood species being employed on restora- surges that devastate urban areas, tion projects. Yes, was Alan’s short answer to the such as the City of Leeds, in the val- Also stressed was the crucial need question; he then went on to explain leys below. In recognition of this to plant a wider variety of species why and in what way. He based his beneficial effect, some schemes are than at present because so doing predictions on two reports, firstly, already being implemented. will reduce the ability of pests to the Stern Report, 2006, upon which decimate a whole area of woodland. the UK’s Climate Change Bill is He also observed that much prime Of special concern is Phytophthora, based and secondly upon the Aus- agricultural land in the North of the which hybridises rapidly, causing tralian Economist, Garnaut’s Report country is fetching very high prices numerous diseases such as South- of 2008 which challenges the data because, in future, it will provide the ern Oak Death. Other diseases upon which the former report is UK with its bread basket. A return to mentioned were the return of Dutch based. It concludes that global the nineteenth century practice of elm disease, Bleeding Cancer warming is inevitable and will be planting of trees alongside arable (Horse Chestnut); Oak Procession- worse than previously thought. A would, he thought, constitute good ary Moth and Red Needle Blight all worst-case scenario could see tem- practice, the woodland providing valu- of which are predicted to worsen. peratures rise by up to 6%. This able home produced timber, a food picture has led Alan to the conclu- source e.g. hazel, a wind break and Alan went on to mention a long list sion that the world is facing a cul- reduce flooding. Additionally, vine- of species small and large that will tural crisis with huge ecological im- yards would thrive in the South where thrive in changed climatic conditions plications. He pointed out the need the climate would be similar to Bor- amongst them are the Judas Tree, for strong political leadership, which deaux. Honey Locust, Oleaster, Sweet/ is prepared, and able to address Spanish Chestnut, Hickory, Walnut, these immense changes, which are Species of shallow rooted trees con- Olives, Small Leafed Lime and Mag- already taking effect. sidered especially vulnerable include nolia. beech, birch, hollies, mountain ash/ Turning to trees, on the home front, rowan, Japanese maples but that the In conclusion, Alan was keen to em- Alan described the warmer winters deeper rooted species such as oaks phasize that he was not describing and hotter summers with more would probably survive. Alan antici- a Doomsday scenario but rather a storms both in summer and winter pates urban landscapes will change radical change that will require sig- which would mean a big rise in dramatically over a period of years as nificant culture adaptation in order pests and the inability of the shal- new species suited to the changed for the economy of the country to lower rooted species of trees to climate will be substituted for the na- prosper. Alan Simson’s talk brought thrive and survive because many tive species currently planted. Many into focus an aspect of climate would be blown over. The implica- species of Conifers would fare espe- change and its wider implications tions would be worse, he consid- cially badly. Because of the cooler that was new to many in the audi- ered, in the South of England and in temperatures in rural areas, he thinks ence in a way that was stimulating urban rather than in rural areas be- there will be a less dramatic effect as, and offered much food for thought. cause of the higher temperatures whilst there may be a need to substi- It was an evening well spent. found in built up areas. The storms tute some species, most will survive also increase the risk of flooding and Historic Sites will retain their es- Heather Garnett PAGE 8 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 Visit to Temple Newsam – Saturday, 7th June 2008 Fifty or so members of the YGT and Most of the contents had already beech hedges, pleached laburnum the Wakefield and North of England been removed or sold. Lord Halifax walks and a clipped hornbeam stilt Tulip Society joined up to meet at subsequently returned much of the hedge. Our tour began with a view the Lady Hartford Suite in the Stable historic picture collection while great of the parkland landscaped by courtyard for a remarkable and masterpieces of furniture, silver and ‘Capability’ Brown, who was com- memorable day out. To someone ceramics have been acquired for the missioned in 1762 to prepare an who was living in Leeds 50 years collections from a variety of different ambitious plan for improving the ago Temple Newsam was a well- sources. During the 1980’s and park. Beech plantations screened known name but the house was 1990’s many of the impressive interi- the agricultural land beyond and empty, no visitors allowed inside. ors were restored to their historic ap- sunken fences – ha-has – that could The grounds were pleasant to walk pearance culminating in 1996 with the not be negotiated by deer or farm in but nothing special – except when total redecoration of the Picture Gal- animals conveyed the impression of Henry Moore’s Reclining Figure ar- lery to mark the 250th anniversary of the landscape coming right up to the rived. How that has now changed! the room. Many of the rooms have walls of the house. Part of the re- been redecorated with replica wallpa- maining ha-ha can still be seen to- Our day began with a fascinating pers, scraps of the originals having day alongside the rhododendron tour of the Tudor-Jacobean man- been found during the restoration walk. The famous rhododendron sion, our group being shown round process. The original furniture includ- walk started at the imposing Sphinx by Margaret Waugh whose knowl- ing a suite of twenty chairs, four set- Gateway, once the main entrance to edge was incredible. The name is tees and a daybed, has been re- Brown’s park, via the North Lodges. derived from ‘Neuhusum’ (new turned to the Picture Gallery with the George Knight, Director of Leeds houses) as it was known in the Do- original floral petit point covers (all Parks in the 1960s/70s, was the mesday Book and the fact that in worked by the ladies of the house) main instigator of this wonderful 1155 it was the property of the intact. So many pictures to admire but show, many of the original plants Knights Templar. Only the central not enough time! coming from Mr. William Hastey of block remains today from the house Parcevall Hall. Martin explained how built between 1500 and 1525 by Finally we viewed a marvellous selec- these had been pruned and thinned Lord Darcy. Following his behead- tion of items of silver and silver gilt, out over the last 4/5 years, obvi- ing in 1537 for his part in the Pil- but again not enough time to appreci- ously a great achievement as they grimage of Grace, Henry VIII ate them properly. Margaret had kept made a wonderful show. The walk granted the estate to his niece the us entertained with so many anec- wound its way through expanses of Countess of Lennox, granddaughter dotes and tales of the various incum- lawn and broad beds of azaleas to of Margaret Tudor and Henry VII. bents that the morning had passed all the lakes. At the lakeside were de- Their son Lord Darnley was born too quickly. A return visit is a must to lightful gardens full of candelabra and brought up here before his dis- do justice to so much history. Follow- primulas, irises and hostas. astrous marriage to Mary Queen of ing a tasty buffet lunch we met up Scots in 1565 and subsequent mur- with Martin Walker, Recreation Part- Temple Newsam is home to five der. nership Manager, who gave us a national collections of plants and we most entertaining tour of his treasured were given a tour of the delphinium On 14th June 1622 Sir Arthur Ingram domain, his enthusiasm for his job Elatum group of cultivars, not open bought the manor and estate of shining through! Fifteen hundred to the public for another couple of Temple Newsam from Ludovic, acres of parkland, gardens, two golf weeks. The others are Phlox pani- Duke of Lennox for £12,000. His courses and farmland only a few min- culata, Aster novi-belgii descendants lived here for the next utes drive from the centre of Leeds. (Michaelmas daisies), chrysanthe- 300 years becoming the Viscounts Once a huge coalfield, the only piece mum and coleus. We then found Irwin after the Civil War. Following of land said to still contain coal is ourselves in the huge walled garden the deaths of the 9th and last Vis- where the house stands! The farm is and the famous herbaceous bor- count and his widow, the house now the largest working rare breeds ders, over 800 yards long, main- passed through the female line. farm in Europe and has many species tained by 8 gardeners. They have Substantial alterations were made in of cattle, sheep and goats. One breed kept to a very traditional style and the mid-18th century. Isabella, of cattle, Vaynol, was obviously not a combination of plants and every- daughter of the last Viscount, was favourite of Martin’s! However, later in thing was looking almost at its best. for a time mistress of the Prince of the tour he did admit that their ma- A quarter of the border is re-planted Wales (later George IV) and in 1806 nure was an important ingredient in each year. In the centre is the rose he visited Temple Newsam and pre- the walled garden and they did, there- garden, but Martin’s long ambition is sented her with Chinese wallpaper fore, have something to contribute! A to return this section to traditional and the Moses tapestries. traditional herb garden has been cre- vegetables, if finances ever allow. In 1922 the Hon Edward Wood ated on the west side of the house Also within these borders a chil- (later Earl of Halifax) sold the 917- with a spring garden. To the south dren’s sunflower competition was acre park to Leeds City Council for there is a grassless Italianate garden taking place, encouraging the next £35,000 and the house came free. with formal flowerbeds, box yew and (Continued on page 9) PAGE 9 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24

(Continued from page 8) ‘towers’, hydrangeas, foxgloves, bou- these people who are so happy to generation in a love of horticulture. gainvillea, strelitzia and proteas pass on their expertise and knowl- Our tour ended in the long conser- stretching for nearly 300 years. A truly edge to the next generation. A very vatory, a replacement set against magnificent sight. Martin had also big ‘thank-you’ to him and to Marga- the original tall fire wall built in 1788 entertained us with many amusing ret and the other guides, and indeed pierced by flues which once con- anecdotes and tales from his own all the staff at Temple Newsam who ducted hot air to ripen pineapples long career in horticulture, and his helped to give us such a very spe- and other soft fruit. It now contains a obvious enthusiasm for his work cial day out. fantastic collection of geranium made us realise how much we owe to Dorothy Chiverton Book Reviews Devon Gardens Trust Swete (1789 – 1800) was published rarer. As John Harvey’s early books This very early branch of the Gardens over a four year period as a limited on the horticultural trade pointed out Trust movement was formed in 1988 edition although the actual work in- this is a Cinderella branch of garden with the encouragement of several volved took twelve years. history and this new publication local organizations, not least the Na- adds immeasurably to our knowl- tional Council for the Conservation of Devon Gardens Trust has also just edge. Plants and Gardens (NCCPG) set up published a first issue of their Jour- under the auspices of R.H.S. Wisley nal (No 1 September 2008). This John Drake is an acknowledged who had quickly realized that their luscious A4 publication has stiff cov- expert on Aquilegias, opened his own remit was far too wide and that ers and a wealth of small colour garden to the public and also hap- they wished to concentrate on the photos, which add real value to the pens to be the chair of Cambridge- plants only. This small booklet starts wonderful articles within. The sub- shire Gardens Trust. His new book by setting the background to other jects range from the history of the is full of historical detail sorted into a garden organisations that already NCCPG in Devon, to county bath- roughly chronological time frame existed on the national stage, includ- houses and C19th allotment gar- and he picks out several amusing ing the two earliest Garden Trusts, deners. As a northerner who can letters to quote from. There are re- Hampshire and Avon. It then goes on rarely make the time to visit this cords of plants supplied for Capabil- to record section by section, all the area I really appreciated the added ity Brown at Wimpole as well as for different members who have served benefit of the photographs not to other aristocrats in the eighteenth the Trust since its inception, giving mention the footnotes for places I century through the firm’s Rose hey- their dates of office and a paragraph have not yet visited. Both publica- days of the later C19th and early or so about their achievements before tions are an extremely valuable rés- C20th when they supplied Bucking- going on to record the work of the sub umé of the Devon Trust’s hard work ham Palace amongst many others, committees and their chairs. An enor- over the past 20 years and an ex- to its closure and sale in 1950. Fam- mously important event took place in cellent record for future historians. ily pedigrees and lists of plants in the mid 1990’s when two brothers left stock, often with their current no- a legacy of nearly £150k to the Trust. Copies of these publications can be menclature printed helpfully along- The Trust made the immediate deci- obtained from: Clare Greener, side, make this a fund of useful in- sion to commission a business plan to Chairman, Devon Gardens Trust, 26 formation and somehow the ensure that the legacy should be Linden Road, Dawlish, Devon EX7 ‘missing’ letters from clients and properly used and this freed the com- 9QA; [email protected] other nurseries, some from abroad, mittee to look to their charitable role History £3.50 including p&p; Journal make keeping the thread of Wood from an early date. One of the ensu- £6.00 including p&p or the two to- and Ingram’s correspondence with ing benefits was the ability to publish, gether £9 clients more intriguing still. There another was the many school and are a clutch of black and white pho- small building projects that the Trust Wood and Ingram A Huntingdon- tos of important pages in the middle has proceeded to grant aid. shire Nursery 1742 - 1950 by of the book and two atmospheric John Drake colour photos on the covers, one of Their first book had been Devon Gar- John has produced that very rare the Shooting star, Dodecatheon dens: an Historical Survey edited by thing an eminently readable book meadia, named after Dr James Steven Pugsley which had first been from the tens of dry business ledg- Mead and the other a collection of discussed in 1989 and this was fol- ers that survived by some miracle the wonderful ledgers that have lowed by The Garden History of from this firm. As luck would have it been distilled so effectively to create Devon - an illustrated guide to they remained in a cold unheated this book. sources by Todd Gray in 1995. Inter- room throughout the latter half of estingly this led to an investigation of the C20th until their unique value The book costs £14 inc.p&p see Devon’s sale catalogues and they was recognized. There are remarka- www.cambsgardens.org.uk or by were able to lodge their results with bly few horticultural firms whose post from: Cambridgeshire Gardens the Devon Record Office. The tran- account and letter books survive in Trust, The Grange, Easton Hunting- scription of the Swete Journals Trav- such quantities and the number of don PE18 0TU els in Georgian Devon – the illus- those whose work has been as- trated Journals of the Reverend John sessed and transcribed is even Jane Furse PAGE 10 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 Jackson’s Wold Garden, Sherburn, Malton – 3rd July 2008.

We drove through an absolute phlomis, intermingled with familiar We walked through the Wildflower cloudburst to reach this charming old favourites. Meadow planted with chalk-loving garden but it was well worth the ef- grasses, scabious and ox-eye daisies fort as the sun came out and we The roses are mainly in the Walled and then along a lime walk to a mag- were able to see the garden under Garden where old-fashioned roses nificent viewpoint over the Wolds – perfect conditions. such as “Gardenia” and “Souvenir passing on the way a couple of small du Docteur Jamain” grow up the Duroc X pigs snuffling in the Jackson’s Wold is a working farm walls. There are also bush roses (enclosed!) undergrowth. about 480ft. up on the edge of the and herbaceous plants, e.g. various Yorkshire Wolds with spectacular achillea, astrantia and salvia, and a This beautiful garden is evolving all views across the Vale of Pickering. lovely Crambe cordifolia, its feathery the time and the newest area is the The garden extends to approxi- white foliage gently swaying in the Woodland Garden still in the mak- mately 3 acres of chalk land and breeze. We then went through to ing. Here there are paths and many has been created over the last 20+ the Courtyard Garden, which is at specimen trees suitable for growing years by enthusiastic and knowl- the heart of Jackson’s Wold. Here on chalk. After spending a couple of edgeable owners Richard and there are fastigiated yews planted pleasurable hours exploring this de- Sarah Cundall, who made us very around a box-edged pool and un- lightful garden and eagerly buying welcome. Only plants that thrive in derplanted with Hosta elegans and plants from the Nursery, we were en- alkaline conditions are grown and a lovely deep pinkish-purple Salvia tertained to tea and delicious the garden blends beautifully into mainacht. cakes. As we left Jackson’s Wold the the surrounding countryside. heavens opened and we drove home In the Kitchen Garden we were ac- through a tremendous thunderstorm. As we approached the garden, we companied by a number of dainty felt there was a lovely atmosphere little Lavender Pekin hens. Here the N.B. If you missed the YGT visit to and the smell of roses and honey- paths are edged with box surround- this lovely garden, Jackson’s Wold is suckle was quite intoxicating. We ing beds of vegetables growing in usually open in May and June for the were soon to discover lovely vistas orderly rows with roses at the cor- National Gardens Scheme. It has also in every direction. The South Facing ners. Dahlias, sweet peas and featured in “The English Garden” and Garden comprises a long mixed sweet william were growing only days before our visit photo- herbaceous border planted for col- amongst the vegetables and there graphs had been taken for a future our and texture with many unusual was an asparagus bed. Another article in “Country Life”. plants, e.g. Morina longifolia (thistle- pleasing feature in this area was a like with pink and white flowers small Elizabethan knot garden, Gypsy Nichol hanging like small trumpets) and planted in front of a Victorian green- house. Visit to York House and ‘Castle Hill’ Malton - 22 October 2008

Introduction Historical background that has recently been given to the The purpose of this visit was to look ‘Castle Hill’ is on the eastern edge southern part of the land that for- at two of the historical landmarks of of Malton at the eastern end of the merly belonged to The Lodge. It Malton, namely ‘Castle Hill’ and line of the former town wall. As the includes earthworks that may be York House, and their associated name implies, it is the site of Mal- surviving features of garden layout gardens in particular. Both are im- ton’s medieval castle, very little of that is shown on the birds-eye view portant in the history of Malton, hav- which obviously survives above of Malton c.1735 by John Settring- ing long, complex and interesting ground level. Around 1600 a new ton. These in turn may be remnants histories. The gardens or parts of and very grand mansion was built of the early 17th century garden. The them have been subject to recent for the Eure family. This was largely Castle Garden is the property of neglect and both are in the process demolished in1674-5, leaving only Ryedale District Council and is be- of being rediscovered and finding the gatehouse, which became a ing brought back to life by a local new roles. They are capable of much smaller residence known as group, based in Norton, called ‘The making significant contributions to ‘The Lodge’. The latter was ex- Derwent Riverside Project’, of which the life of Malton as both are good tended around 1856 by the addition Dinah Keal, a local Councillor, is the examples of interesting historic gar- of two small wings on either side. Secretary. dens in an urban setting and need On the eastern side, further addi- conserving and sustaining. During tions were made around 1878. To- York House is located at the west- the course of the day we discussed gether, these provide the core of the ern end of the line of the former in situ many of the historical and present building, which is now the town wall and on the inner side of it. conservation issues that are con- ‘Old Lodge Hotel’. Recent investigations carried out by nected with the two places. Nigel Copsey, suggest that the core ‘The Castle Garden’ is the name (Continued on page 11) PAGE 11 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24

(Continued from page 10) viewed in the historical context of plained its significance. of the present house was constructed Yorkshire and the North. Any addi- sometime at the end of the Middle tional information on their histories The history and use of a house and Ages or in the 16th century, in the time would be very welcome. its garden are, of course, closely of the Tudors. Significant alterations interlinked and after we had looked and additions were made around the The visit at the house, Peter Goodchild led a early 18th century. Some 40 people attended the visit. group round the gardens of both It began at The Old Lodge Hotel at York House and the neighbouring It would appear that the history of 10:00 hrs with talks by Trish Leach Talbot Hotel. As explained above, York House is very closely connected (landscape architect for the Castle the two are closely connected from with that of the Talbot Hotel, its Garden Project), and Peter Good- an historical point of view. On their neighbour on the western side. The child (a Vice President of the YGT, southern side, both are terminated Talbot is thought to have been estab- and Director of GARLAND). These by the river Derwent. lished as a hotel around 1740 and the were followed by a guided walk present building straddles the line of around the gardens of the hotel and At present, the garden at York the former town wall. the adjoining Castle Gardens led by House is not cultivated but the grass Trish Leach. The Castle Garden is being kept under control. It too A plan of Malton prepared in 1730, Project team, working mostly on a awaits a decision about its future suggests that much of the land that is voluntary basis, are in the process and this is linked to that of York now attached to the Talbot was then of rescuing it for low-key public and House. For the time being, the attached to York House. The histories communal use. The central com- house and garden at York House of the two properties are interwoven, partment of the garden has been are only open to special parties or and in order to understand one it is cleared of nettles etc, new paths for occasional special events. The necessary to understand the other. have been laid, and a lawn has upper terrace of the garden at the Many aspects of their histories are been prepared. Talbot is maintained for use by visi- unclear at present and further re- tors to the hotel but below this, search is needed to sort them out. Elsewhere, woodland paths have maintenance has ceased and it been laid, a boundary fence erected waits for active gardening to return. At some point, probably in the first and specially made wooden furni- In the meantime, Nature is reassert- half of the 19th century, a villa was ture (by Mark Bennett from Malton) ing her claim to the lower garden. built in between the main body of the installed. One of the features that Talbot and York House. It survives attracted special attention was a The day concluded with tea, cakes and is now part of the hotel. It is not new metal gate at the eastern cor- and discussion at the Talbot. During currently known whether it was built ner of the garden. It was made by the discussion, Eric Blades provided as a separate property or whether it James Morris of Sculpsteel, Terring- some personal reminiscences of the has always been linked to the Talbot. ton and presents the viewer with a firm of Longsters where he was At the back, it has its own garden beautiful open screen of overlapping once employed. They were nursery- taken out of land that was once at- leaves made of metal. Further work men and market gardeners in Mal- tached to York House. The gardens on the garden is planned. Two of ton in the 19th and 20th centuries, of York House and the Talbot are ter- the unexpected issues that have having at one time extensive or- raced and their present main lines are arisen during the course of the pro- chards. They also occupied the to be seen on the 1730 map. So, the ject are that the eastern compart- ‘Derwent Nursery’, which was a little present basic layout would appear to ment has a colony of badgers, and further downstream from the Talbot. have been in place by 1730, but this secondly the high retaining walls on of course, does not mean that it might the western and southern sides, Penelope Dawson-Brown not be earlier. Also it may not all be of which are connected with the former (Chairman of the YGT) closed the the same date. castle, are in need of attention. day by thanking everyone who had contributed to it, saying how im- At present, what is known about the After lunch, we progressed to York pressed we had all been by the history of the gardens and grounds at House where Nigel Copsey (project work and achievements of the Cas- ‘Castle Hill’, York House and the Tal- manager for the repair of York tle Garden Project and the York bot Hotel is based mainly on observa- House) explained the nature of the House project, and confirming the tion of what exists on the ground and basic repairs and conservation work continued support of the YGT for the evidence provided by maps. The that he has been carrying out. The both of them. In particular she was earliest of these is the 1730 map of structure is now sound and weather delighted that this year the YGT had Malton, which belongs to the Fitzwil- proof but the finishing of the interior been able to award a grant of £1000 liam (Malton) Estate, the present awaits a decision about the future to the Castle Garden Project, a pro- owner of York House. Other informa- use of the house. The recent work ject, which it feels, is of huge benefit tion comes from N. A. Huddleston, has revealed a great deal of fasci- to the community. ‘History of Malton and Norton’, nating evidence about its history (Scarborough 1962). In both cases and its evolution. Much of this evi- Peter Goodchild we would seem to be dealing with dence is currently still visible and high status gardens that need to be Nigel interpreted it for us and ex- PAGE 12 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 Committee Round-Up

Research and Recording Report dens of the Yorkshire Dales, which that local authorities have the re- January 2009 some of the R&R group had been sources to implement that protec- Shandy Hall, Coxwold, North York- looking at for three years. tion. Sally, Kate and I will comment shire, was one of the four finalists for Helen Lazenby on the draft for the AGT but would the Country Life’s search for Eng- [email protected] as ever, welcome input from gar- land’s finest Parsonage; it was the 01677 460 276 dens trusts’ members. winner for the North. The overall win- ner was The Old Rectory, Farnbor- Moira Fulton We seem to be in a constant state ough, Berkshire. (See Country Life: [email protected] of flux, and another major change in 17 September 2008, for more details). 01347 868 540 the pipeline are the powers in the We were delighted that a Yorkshire Marine Bill with its scheme to im- Parsonage was in the finals, espe- Conservation and Planning prove access around the whole cially, as Moira Fulton was research- The most significant changes affect- English coastline. In the delibera- ing Shandy Hall for our Vicarage pro- ing the historic environment for tions around the draft bill – and ject. many years, Heritage Protection which the AGT highlighted as a po- Reform, has been researched and tential problem – we were very Following our meeting at the North developed by English Heritage (EH) pleased that the Environment, Food Yorkshire County Record Office in for the Department of Culture Media and Rural Affairs Select Committee April, Keith Sweetmore, principal ar- and Sport (DCMS). The Association recommended that parks and gar- chivist, had kindly offered that at a of Gardens Trusts (AGT) com- dens should be exempt from the future visit we could have a session mented on the draft bill on behalf of scheme, as they are under the on accessing information via the all the county gardens trusts earlier Open Access Scheme. The thrust Internet. A date of 22 July was ar- last year and you will remember that of the suggested exemption relates ranged, but as we had few takers we I wrote of our deliberations in the to privacy around dwellings. DEFRA re-scheduled it for the 21 October last newsletter. We fully expected and Natural England are still review- 2008. Margaret Bousfield, archivist, that the bill would be in the Queen’s ing whether such an exemption kindly showed a still small group of us speech to Parliament in December would be possible, and if so, what how to use the Internet as a research but the financial crisis intervened the impacts on the scheme would tool. It was a very useful morning. On and the bill was one that was be. While EH can identify those the 15 September, the Parks and dropped and hence is not featuring coastal parks and gardens on their Gardens UK (P&GUK) project, had in this government session. If you Register, they are also concerned laid on a day for the YGT research- would like further information and with those of local and regional his- ers, to show us how the website briefing on the Queen’s Speech and toric significance, particularly where worked and how to enter information. the implications for the Heritage they contribute to local character We had a good turnout for the day, Protection Reform programme it is and distinctiveness and where new but only one or two have found time available at: www.english- access could adversely impact on to try further input for the P&GUK. heritage.org.uk/server/show/ their historic significance and design nav.20038. The web page explains qualities. If you have local knowl- Dr Jon Finch has decided to retire what can and cannot be edge of parks and gardens that ex- from the R&R group because of pres- achieved. Our understanding is that tend along the coastline and/or go sure of work. Because the Vicarage about 80% of the content of the bill down to the shore in our county Garden Project was originally his could be delivered by regulation then please let me know. idea, Moira and I are struggling to anyway and that the main focus keep up the momentum because of now is to replace Planning Policy During my chairmanship of the AGT other commitments, and because Guidance 15 (PPG 15) Planning we put considerable energy into only a few of the Vicarages looked at and the Historic Environment and trying to remove gardens from the have information about the gardens also PPG 16 Archaeology with Plan- definition of brownfield sites. A defi- themselves, we have decided not to ning Policy Statement 15 (PPS 15). nition which makes gardens easy further this project at the moment. We The Gardens and Landscape team targets for developers. We were will be arranging a meeting to draw at English Heritage is working therefore delighted that last Novem- this to a close. Instead, we are to re- closely with the EH Policy Depart- ber the House of Lords voted for an search one site each year and pro- ment in drafting the new PPS and amendment giving greater protec- duce a booklet for a YGT visit. This its good practice guidance, and the tion to gardens and green spaces year we are to visit Clapham, the Heritage Protection Department will during the final stages of considera- home of Reginald Farrer, the plant- be doing further work on selection tion of the Planning Bill. Earl Cath- hunter, at the end of the summer. Any criteria including parks and gardens. cart said that his measure sought to information or help would be most The AGT will be consulted on the "increase protection for gardens and welcome. Finally, we had a very good draft, which is due in April. It is im- small urban green spaces. It does evening at the Dales Countryside Mu- portant for the future of our parks so by leaving it to local communities seum in July, when Moira gave an and gardens that the new PPS excellent illustrated talk on the Gar- gives them their due protection, and (Continued on page 13) PAGE 13 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24

(Continued from page 12) conservation plan for the buildings. the pleasure ground woodland to to decide, not to higher authorities Having last visited Wentworth the east of the house should be and least of all to remote central Gov- Woodhouse on a bleak January day felled and Anne is hoping to meet ernment. It does not take away the in 2000 at the invitation of the new him on site with the owner and ar- householder's right to extend their owners, it was a great pleasure to boriculturist to explain the historic house by permitted development. It see all the wonderful restoration significance of the designed land- does not prevent local authorities set- work on the main house carried out scape, the tree planting and the ting frameworks that are more per- by the family since then. Wentworth links with Edward Kemp. missive. But it does prevent the Woodhouse is an epic landscape, wishes of local people being under- very important regionally, nationally As you know the Conservation sub- mined; unless in the specific case it and internationally and we hope that committee is concerned about the can be shown that development is the landscape can benefit similarly. design of the reconstructed waterfall essential to achieve housing targets. at Parcevall Hall. We think that the Even in such cases, full consideration Anne Tupholme has been stead- way forward is for YGT to give prac- would have to be given to the impor- fastly keeping abreast of several tical help in altering it and that in- tance of green space." However the sites in West Yorkshire. At Whin- cludes funding. We have had one Government considered that the burn, the new owners are now in- small donation but we need to raise amendment was “unnecessary”. stalled and trying to get the house in a good deal more. Anne has been order. Anne has been to see them spearheading enquiries to get prac- A Communities and Local Govern- and has had useful discussions. tical assistance and quotes. Many ment spokesperson said, "Local au- The plight of Whinburn and the gar- of you will recall our visit to Kiplin thorities have always had the power dens was highlighted in last sum- Hall in 2007, and we continue to try to turn down applications for inappro- mers regional Heritage at Risk Sur- and help the charitable trust there. priate housing development in back vey with quite a lot of regional press Last September we wrote to the gardens and new planning rules coverage. However the national Heritage Lottery Fund in support of (Planning Policy Statement 3) that Landscapes at Risk Survey has still Kiplin’s application for a Your Heri- came into force in April last year have to be completed. So despite the re- tage grant for the peninsula pleas- strengthened those powers further.” gional coverage of the gardens at ure ground woodland. We are de- We have been pleased to learn that Whinburn there was no information lighted that the grant has been despite the Commons overturning the on gardens and landscapes at risk awarded which means that there will Lords amendment to the then Plan- in the national Heritage at Risk Sur- be a tree survey, woodland man- ning Bill the Government has decided vey published by EH, which is a agement, the growing of trees from to carry out a review to see whether great pity. Whinburn’s upper garden the seed of existing trees, and con- action is needed to tackle ‘garden pavilion has now been listed but siderable community involvement. grabbing’ by developers. This is due there are inaccuracies that Anne is Well done! to begin this month (January 2009). following up. St Ives, Bingley is still In addition to informing the AGT re- in our sights and we continue to Some other good news, EH now sponses at national level, the YGT contact EH about its Registration. A has a trainees programme. Trainees Conservation sub-committee contin- bound copy of the research on St from various backgrounds will have ues to bat for Yorkshire’s parks and Ives by Anne is to be deposited in two years internal training with EH gardens. We have written objecting to the YGT archives at the Borthwick to equip them with a broad range of two planning applications for wind Institute. On Dobroyd Castle, Tod- experience and expertise. It is turbines where they would adversely morden, two planning applications hoped that they can then work with impact on historic designed land- for an activity centre have now been local authorities. YGT has offered scapes; Bolton Abbey and Gledstone passed. Through the secretary of parks and gardens assistance to the Hall. The application for five turbines the Fielden Society, Anne has EH York office. Finally, in case you adjacent to Brightenber Hill, Craven tracked down retired architect John don’t know - English Heritage pro- and in sight of the north front of Gled- (Jack) Taylor who lives in a flat in duces guidance and policy on all stone Hall has been refused. In Shef- Stansfield Hall, another former Fiel- aspects of managing the historic field, the housing development pro- den property and who has accounts environment. It is most easily acces- posal on 19th century villa gardens, for some of the trees that were sible through www.helm.org.uk. A partly developed for Sheffield Univer- planted in 19C. Anne has also dis- full sub-section of the website is sity halls of residence and animal and covered that Edward Kemp’s book dedicated to climate change and plant research in the second half of includes a plan for a “small nook in this can be reached through the 20th century, and where we gave ad- the grounds of Joshua Fielden Esq. ‘Managing and Protecting’ link at the vice to a local group has been re- Of Stansfield Hall”. Anne has met top of the home page. Alternatively, fused by Sheffield CC and refused John P Marshall of Todmorden a from the home page, click on the again on appeal to the planning in- botanist, who is also interested in ‘Guidance Library’ link on the left spectorate. Also in South Yorkshire the trees at Dobroyd and has been hand side, then choose ‘English we made comments on the draft meeting with the new owner. We Heritage’ guidance. This will take Wentworth Woodhouse Conservation are however concerned that the lo- you to a full alphabetical list of all Plan for the landscape and we were cal authority ecologist has recently current guidance and policy. invited to a workshop on the draft suggested that non-native trees in Val Hepworth PAGE 14 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 Wentworth Castle Study Day, AGT/YGT 15 May 2008 After being embroiled in the massive when funds become available so we understand - how would she have development plans for the south of saw the very high standard of the managed with Estuary English! England, and my patch in Hertford- consolidation of Stainborough Cas- These talks and a delicious lunch shire in particular, it was a breath of tle - rather more ruined than when were held in the Visitor's Centre, a fresh air to travel north to find a little Strafford built it. This was con- lovingly converted building holding miracle. Not only has Wentworth Cas- trasted with the little gem of a Gun shop, café and the conference tle survived in industrial South York- Room, which has had an equally 'church' and function room upstairs. shire but it has found doughty cham- high standard of restoration outside, There was not time to do more than pions in the form of the Wentworth but inside still awaits sufficient funds view the park from the mansion so a Castle Trust. Their exemplary restora- for internal treatment so has been return visit to Barnsley beckons to tion of the landscape should hearten made safe but no more. explore the temples, obelisks and all those of us who feel that we are views and, not least, to see the pro- fighting a mighty battle for preserva- This followed a fascinating morning gress on the restoration of the gar- tion of our historic landscapes. They with 4 excellent speakers: Jane on dens. are fighting and winning. The day the the 18th Century, Erika Petersen YGT organised was the usual format from Hilary Taylor Landscape Asso- The AGT's thanks go to YGT and of talks in the morning and landscape ciates on the Victorian development, especially Jane Furse for the or- walks after lunch. And it didn't rain on Liz Smith, the Archivist, on the 20th ganisation of this Study Day. If and our parade - first miracle. And parade century archives and interpretation when the Wentworth Castle team it was, though not up to military stan- and Patrick Eyres on the political finally finish the restoration, I can dards. Walking this formal garden connections which are as interesting think of many more sites, which with its Union Jack wilderness and as those better-known ones at would benefit from their can-do ap- formal vistas was an object lesson in Stowe. The talks were held in the proach backed by meticulous re- how to respond to the ravages of time beautifully converted church and not search and deep understanding. and accommodate the needs of a only did we have oodles of informa- modern garden with its 12 month tion and illuminating images to di- Website links opening period, without compromising gest, we had some audio clips from www.wentworth castle.org the design intent. Everyone was im- interviews with people who had Hilary Taylor Landscape Associ- pressed, firstly with the depth of worked on the estate in the early ates: knowledge our guide, Jane Furse, 20th century. I particularly like the www.htla.co.uk/wentworthcastle.htm possessed and then with the system South Yorkshire woman who found of restoring the landscape as and a North Yorkshire accent difficult to Kate Harwood Midsummer Picnic, Old Sleningford, 24 June 2008 Some years ago I organised an eve- buildings to create a tranquil and Every available space is used to ning visit to Old Sleningford for YGT picturesque setting that also incor- grow produce of some kind and be- members. Unfortunately, the balmy porates a kitchen garden. Tom and cause of the mulching and ground evening of my dreams was replaced Jane, who have only recently taken cover, there is relatively little main- by torrential rain, and some members on the estate, are making small tenance. Just as in a natural wood- rather uncharitably christened such changes such as the new paving in land, the ground feeds itself and the conditions ‘YGT weather’ – you know front of the house and the clearing plants are beneficial to each other, who you are… So it was with great of trees and shrubs to reopen views either bringing nutrients from deep relief that I peeked through the cur- out into the landscape. in the ground or attracting beneficial tains to find that Tuesday 24 June insects. The multi-layered planting had dawned bright and clear and Tom encouraged us all to visit the ranges from a low carpet of straw- promised perfect conditions for a pic- ‘forest garden’ – a concept that was berry plants to the relative loftiness nic. The midsummer picnic is now a entirely new to me. Above the mill of young apple trees, with other fruit firm fixture in the YGT calendar and it garden Rachel Benson and Martin and vegetables of varying heights in was good to see a large crowd of Baker are creating an organic, prac- between according to the seasons. members assembled outside the tical and productive landscape. Four Produce is grown all year from the house to be welcomed by Tom and winters ago this land was set-aside first rhubarb to the herbs that grow Jane Ramsden. Tom told us a little of and as it had not been farmed for throughout the winter and the infor- the history of the house and garden. five years it was a free from chemi- mal layout replicates a natural for- The house was constructed as a cals and a perfect spot to establish est. Rachel and Martin were very speculative scheme in around 1810 an organic garden. The forest gar- much in demand as members were but the garden we see today is largely den, of roughly 1½ acres, has a keen to learn more about this fasci- the creation of Tom’s parents, James mulch of card or carpet, manure and nating garden and I hope we can and Juliet (our Vice-President) who straw which is doing a pretty good return to Sleningford to see it de- moved to Sleningford in the 1950s. job of suppressing weeds and en- velop. Their greatest achievement was the riching the soil. Karen Lynch restoration of the old millpond and mill PAGE 15 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 School Gardens and Gardening – what is YGT doing to help?

Introduction numbers of parents, children, aunties Trust, and in return, they are entitled The short answer is ‘Quite a lot!’ and uncles arrived at school and be- to: The longer answer, from a personal tween them planted fifty trees in a • copies of the YGT Newsletter viewpoint, began with my article four morning! Plaques were bought for • advice, ideas and support to years ago in the Trust Newsletter, family trees – the first steps in creat- create/develop a school garden ‘Kirkby & Great Broughton School: ing and caring for our school grounds or gardening club bringing the landscape into the had begun. • enter any YGT for Schools pro- grounds’. At that time the design jects, competitions or award phase of the project, involving the In the Spring of 2006, I and a couple schemes. whole school from oldest to young- of interested parents, set up a lunch- est, had been completed; as we time club, ‘Wildlife & Wellies’, to keep The two awards that members can were going to press, news came in the children involved in caring for and currently apply for are the YGT for that we had won a national award appreciating their fantastic school Schools Gardening Club awards that would allow us to implement the grounds. It has been running weekly which include a selection of high design. ever since, and during that time we quality junior gardening tools and have done everything from planting YGT for Schools Garden awards of There followed a flurry of activity at snowdrops to sowing a wildflower £200 (increased from £100 in the the school, with the Head teacher, meadow, making scarecrows, to first year) to help create or develop myself and the children of the building a ‘Thankfulness Cairn’, har- a garden area. School Council, heading off to Lon- vesting our own produce for the Har- don to receive the award at the Brit- vest Festival to making willow stars In the two years that the scheme ish Museum (Natural History). The for Christmas. It has been wonderful! has been running, the Trust has Spring was spent getting quotes in been able to help around 15 for landscaping work and the sum- YGT Schools Education schools; at least half of which have mer holidays saw contractors on At around the same time as setting up been outside the pilot area and as site putting in pathways, a timber Wildlife & Wellies, I was asked to lead far apart as Leeds, Bradford, Harro- footbridge, fence, stile and building Schools Education work for the YGT. gate, Masham, Norton, York and a ‘round house’ shelter (see Figs. 1 The first step was to understand the Sheffield. £700 has been presented and 2). context: to schools in cash awards during • what other agencies were do- this time and £725 has gone into ing to support schools in using schools in the form of junior garden- their grounds and gardens - the ing tools and other gardening sup- Royal Horticultural Society, plies. By far the largest investment County Wildlife Trusts, Learn- in these schools, however, has ing through Landscapes and been members’ time, to provide ad- others; vice, support and expertise. • national initiatives such as the national campaigns for Healthy Schools and Eco-Schools, not Activities have included – to mention the many aspects of - working with children to look Fig 1 - Before work commenced in the national curriculum, which after and explore their own grounds of Kirkby & Gt Broughton School encourage schools to make grounds good use of their grounds; - surveying new school garden • the approaches taken by the sites Association of Gardens Trusts - supporting parents setting up and other County Gardens gardening clubs Trusts. - working with the Northern Fruit

Group to introduce fruit trees Against this background the YGT for into schools Schools scheme was developed to provide unique support for Yorkshire - drawing up action plans for de- schools developing and learning from velopment and maintenance of their grounds and gardens. It was garden areas decided to pilot the scheme in the - producing planting plans North Yorkshire area local to this par- - liaising between schools and ticular YGT member and to widen the Fig 2 - After, showing the bridge, grounds maintenance teams fence,stile and round-house area as resources allowed. - identifying sources of funding - advising on health and safety Under the scheme, schools are in- issues The following November, during vited to become members of the National Plant a Tree Week, great (Continued on page 16) PAGE 16 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 School Gardens and Gardening cont.

(Continued from page 15) safety aspects Most recently, the YGT has been able of school to organise its first exchange visit be- garden- tween local school gardens and par- ing; pro- ent-gardeners, as a way of sharing ducing a ideas and spreading the support net- planting work. This was well received, and is plan for hopefully just the start of another way a wildlife of inspiring and encouraging garden- border ing in schools. and lat- terly, Fig 6 - Before work began to clear wild- Highlights provid- life area at Carlton & Faceby school There follow a selection of the recent ing projects the YGT has been involved from the Trust to help with new with in the school gardens around our Fig 4 - Children from Allerton gardening seating, pathways and planting. county. club receiving tools from YGT The area has now been sensitively Allerton (formerly, Archbishop cleared and children have been in- Cranmer) CE Primary School, plants and man-power to plant up a volved in sowing seeds, planting Leeds, where students from Leeds special garden area in memory of bulbs and finally, being able to Metropolitan University have been one of the pupils from the school. make use of the area for nature redesigning the school grounds. The Class-mates were keen to help de- YGT provided mentoring to one of the sign and plant out the area for their students to help set up a successful school gardening club; advising on suitable activities and establishing links with other organisations, such as Marie Curie Cancer Care to encour- age sponsored daffodil-planting - helping both the school and the char- ity. The children were harvesting their first crop of radishes and spinach

Fig 7 - After work to improve wildlife area, for both children and nature!

Fig 5 - Children from Pius X school, studies and science lessons (Fig 7). planting out a bed in memory of their Inspired, the school are now plan- class-mate ning to create a productive garden in the grounds. lost friend (Fig 5). New Park Community Primary Carlton & Faceby CE Primary School, Harrogate received one of School, Carlton-in-Cleveland the Trust’s cash awards to help de- asked for our help when an enthusi- velop the ‘Secret Railway Garden’ in astic group of parents wanted to their grounds as a quiet area for Fig 3 - Harvesting radishes at Allerton restore the school’s overgrown wild- children to draw, paint, read and Primary school, Leeds life area, but were not sure how to chat. The garden recalls the time, go about it (Fig 6). The Trust were around 100 years ago, when a nar- (Fig. 3) able to carry out a detailed survey of row gauge railway emerged from a on the day I visited to present the chil- the area; give advice on what tunnel next to the playground and dren with a new set of tools and gar- should be cleared and what should supplied coal to the local gas works. dening club recording box (Fig. 4). be left to provide valuable habitats for wildlife, but at the same time, Greenhill Primary School, Shef- St Pius X RC Primary School, Mid- making the area accessible for chil- field have far-reaching plans to de- dlesbrough was put forward by the dren and teachers to safely observe velop their grounds into a number of Heagney family as particularly worthy and study nature; produce plans for ‘sustainable learning zones’ includ- of receiving our support. We have the newly developed area and an ing sensory, environmental, wildlife, been delighted to work with the associated action plan to allow them reflective, inspirational, recreational school to supply them with tools and to achieve and maintain their aims. and allotment areas. Val Hepworth gloves to allow them to set up a gar- has visited the school and we have dening club; advise on health and The school received a £200 award (Continued on page 17) PAGE 17 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24

(Continued from page 16) made available to the school. Mar- design an ‘eco-friendly entrance’. I carried on to provided advice and wood are now moving on to explore will be working with a group of chil- practical support to further this pro- areas for including a raised bed for dren in the New Year to help them ject, in the form of a cash award that growing vegetables. YGT has been think through some of the design has been used to purchase children’s able to assist in this by arranging a aspects. gardening tools. visit to another nearby school (Swainby & Potto Primary) that has Conclusion Kell Bank CE Primary School, recently created a highly successful We have achieved so much in the Healey has been supported hugely vegetable garden. last two years, helping a good num- by Ray Blyth who has created de- ber of schools to create gardens, signs for the school grounds, liaised set up gardening clubs and sim- with parents, planted hedges, laid ply encouraging schools to al- pathways and secured the support low the children to make the of the Northern Fruit Group to plant most of their outdoor spaces. apple trees. During this time, the Yorkshire Gardens Trust has reinforced Norton Primary School, Helmsley this by signing up to the Learn- have visited Penelope Dawson- ing Outside the Classroom Brown’s farm where, with the help of Manifesto and encouraging the Peter Woods, the children have col- Association of Gardens Trusts lected wild crab apples and planted to do the same. The latest ven- up the seeds. The school hope to ture whereby YGT is putting return to plant the young trees in a local school gardening clubs in small plantation near the mother touch with one another and ar- tree. The same school have also ranging exchange visits is very previously planted junipers with Pene- Fig 8 - Swainby & Potto vegetable garden exciting, and hopefully one that lope and Peter. will be beneficial all round!

Marwood CE Infant School, Great Swainby & Potto CE Primary The YGT is on the verge of creating Ayton was keen to develop their one School, Swainby have had an an Education Sub-Committee to green space around the front en- amazing gardening year. During allow it to expand this work. As al- trance, as a quiet space for small that time, an enthusiastic group of ways, if you are already supporting groups of children to enjoy under parents, have designed a vegetable your local school in its gardening adult supervision. YGT were able to garden, obtained funding for it, built endeavours, or would like to, but are help with this, advising on design it, run gardening clubs throughout not sure how to start, please get in plans; liaising between the school, the the summer with the children and touch and we will try to share our arboricultural officer and the grounds harvested their first produce (Fig 8). experiences across the county. The maintenance team; presenting a £100 YGT was delighted to assist in this YGT is already ‘doing quite a lot’ to cash award and a set of junior gar- with the donation of a £200 cash support school gardens and garden- dening tools. Links with the Northern award and a set of gardening tools ing; in the next two years, we hope Fruit Group have meant that advice for the children. The school are now to be able to do even more! on fruit tree planting has also been seeking advice from the Trust to Nicola Harrison

Beacon Hill Described by its' owners Humphrey and Josephine Boyle as a 'romantic Surrounded on 3 sides by moor- garden', Beacon Hill House is essen- land, the entire garden is enclosed tially a woodland garden of approxi- by an 8 - 10 feet natural stone wall mately 9 acres, rising from 900 to and on the south side by a thick 1200 feet above sea level just below holly hedge through which we the summit of Beamsley Beacon in squeezed via a narrow style de- the Yorkshire Dales. signed to prevent unwanted guests - the local Swaledale With spectacular views across sheep that graze the surrounding Wharfedale towards the village of countryside. Once through the Addingham, the south facing house style a spacious lawn surrounded and gardens were originally con- House and Front Garden by shrubs and a natural area strewn structed in 1848 by the philanthropist, with marguerites opens on to a view Benjamin Popplewell Briggs, whose of the house fronted with a colourful family had been in the area for over health was thought to benefit from herbaceous border of mainly peren- 200 years. The location was chosen the altitude and fresh bracing air of nials and roses. as a sanctuary for his son whose ill the Dales. (Continued on page 18) PAGE 18 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 Beacon Hill cont.

(Continued from page 17) employed 11 gardeners but We were each given a printed now has one part-time gar- layout of the garden and were dener and of course the never free to wander at will through a ending attention of Humphrey series of small enclosed and Josephine, who since spaces and grottos, an or- moving to Beacon Hill House in chard with stove and heated 1976, have spent a great deal wall, a fernery, greenhouse, of their time redesigning vari- and even the remains of a ous parts of the garden includ- Maid's loo and piggery! At one ing establishing the current point we passed through a lawn to take advantage of tunnel, the entrance adorned the splendid views across the with naturally sown white fox- dale. gloves opening on to a rose garden and pottager. Around Fortunately, we were blessed every corner was some new View through gate to main house with a rare warm and sunny after- delight with an unexpected noon during an abnormally wet and splash of colour as with the scarlet pond with its secluded seating. overcast summer and were re- flowers of Tropaeolum speciosum Various pathways link and criss- warded with tea and cakes on the cascading down an evergreen hedge cross through the woodland which is terrace at the culmination of a fasci- or the bright peach shades of mainly Beech and Conifer with the nating walk that provided some new Tropaeolum majus 'Margaret occasional Ash and underplanted aspect around every corner and Long'. Now very much a mature gar- with Rhododendron - some with a made for an enjoyable and fulfilling den Beacon Hill has a Victorian air random bloom - even in July. afternoon. about it, especially the Fernery near the shrouded greenhouse and the When it was first built the garden Richard Passmore Visit to Harlow Carr for the Refugee Council, 10th September 2008 Following a successful visit to Bishop- growing season. Unfortunately woman being in the family of 4 who thorpe in May another visit was or- there does not seem to be much have already got their status. The ganised with Leslie Dean remainder of the group were of The Refugee Council in men from Iran, Afghanistan Leeds to bring a small and West Africa. They could group to Harlow Carr Gar- not be tempted by the delicious dens in September. The cakes brought by the commit- group and a few YGT tee and the sandwiches members were greeted brought by Leslie Dean. How- and briefed by Deidre ever some food was willingly Walton of RHS Harlow taken home for consumption Carr. She described the after dark! Climate is a peren- layout of the gardens and nial subject for discussion and introduced descriptive brings people together as does words such as: ornamen- the subject of growing food. tal, stream, alpine, The Refugee Council and its scented and herb gar- volunteers do much to support dens. Dressed for a grey and raise awareness of those day the group meandered arriving in Yorkshire. These through the damp garden. visits are very worthwhile for all Aiming for the display concerned and give an oppor- vegetable garden was a YGT members and refugee group enjoying Harlow Carr tunity for general discussion priority as the Council has between the parties. an allotment in South Leeds. It pro- continuity in the refugees using the vided much to talk about and com- allotment in Leeds or in joining Footnote: planning permission has pare: different shapes and colours of these visits been granted to RHS Garden Har- herbs & vegetables, many of which low Carr for their new eco friendly are known worldwide. At that time The Gardens Through Time were a Education Centre to be built where there were a variety of courgettes, more difficult concept and very de- the Kitchen garden is. Look out for beans, salad crops and tender & per- tailed so a break was organised in the new one www.rhs.org.uk/ ennial herbs. We looked at a small the School Room, it not being picnic harlowcarr shade tunnel that the allotment hold- weather. The group was small due ers would like in order to extend their to it being Ramadan, the only Jane Ingham PAGE 19 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 A Day in Malton If you have ever had to man a stand Once people began to appreciate at an event and hand out leaflets, What was so heartening was the the heritage, see the work gone into then you will know that it is not always various responses from the public to the restoration and the potential of clear if your efforts will be worthwhile the work going on in Malton – re- an historic building on their main and the response from visitors is what member the Trust has awarded a street with a unique garden, they you would wish. But when I did my grant to the Church gardens project were interested to know more and stint on the Yorkshire Gardens Trust in Malton – and the keenness with many took leaflets with membership stand at the Ryedale Conservation which they wanted to know more slips inside! and Heritage Fair held in York House, about us – the YGT. People had a Malton, it was everything and more. genuine concern for the heritage, I came away thinking this had been Val and Penny had manned (or the future use of such buildings as a good day – for the Trust showing womaned) the stand on the Friday, York House and especially the gar- its diverse support for the green which proved to be a busy day, with dens to the rear of the house, slop- spaces, for me to meet people who allied professionals and the public ing gently down terraces to the cared as much, if not more, than me visiting the lectures and viewing first River Derwent. Peter Goodchild’s for the heritage conservation of gar- hand the restoration-in-progress tour of the garden along the mown dens and buildings and to see the throughout the house. It was down to grass path swathed between the project in action. Ray and myself to face what would be neglected garden, got as much at- over 400 visitors on the Saturday. tention from visitors as the house. Jenni Howard Wentworth

The Trust is setting up a whole se- increase the deer fencing round the ries of new events to draw visitors to One other new addition has been parkland and Serpentine bridge in the site and a series of outdoor more complicated. We now have both particular, to repair more of our old events is planned for the forthcom- fallow and red deer herds in the park- stone walls and conduct further re- ing season. YGT members will be land and whilst immensely attractive search into aspects of this unique able to find details on our website to all who see them, the fallow deer site for further projects we have in www.wentworthcastle.org have caused us quite a few head- mind. aches. Despite early research, no one Patrick Eyres, a fellow Trustee and seems to have realised quite how Future plans still focus on the Con- also a YGT member, is continuing partial to sweet chestnut bark these servatory in particular. We are look- to beaver away in the archives and animals are and we have needed ing at ways of combining the resto- has uncovered all sorts of new evi- rapid changes to have any hope of ration of this fabulous structure with dence about the architect and retaining this species in any numbers an increase not only in visitor num- craftsmen who built the Baroque for the future. Lime, willow and ash bers but also in the variety of audi- Wing here. All will be revealed in his bark are also popular and a new sec- ences who visit our site. It would article on Wentworth Castle which is tion on management of all our young provide us with a much-needed to be included in the new YGT publi- trees is being added to our conserva- space for large groups to assemble cation edited by Susan Kellerman. tion plan. regardless of the weather, and en- joy all that an historic glasshouse Our new playground has been an We have recently learnt that York- could provide in highlighting the immediate success, greatly increas- shire Forward has offered us the sub- site’s heritage, from worldwide ing our popularity and bringing fam- stantial sum of £776,000 towards sev- plantings to its pioneering electricity. ily visits of all three generations to eral smaller projects this year and the our site, which we are so keen to Trust has gratefully accepted. We Jane Furse encourage. intend to consolidate the Orangery, Small Grants Scheme Stone balls, tools, plants, a plaque, societies, garden and landscape or- The ‘rhubarb and ginger jam’ of the community groups and volunteers; ganisations, mailing and websites in last newsletter has been potted or some of the ingredients making up order to support Yorkshire’s historic rather our grant of £385 for outdoor the applications for this years (2008- parks and gardens. However we feel display cases for Dales Plants and 9) small grant scheme which closed sure that there are many worthy Gardens 1990-1960 has been taken at the end of last November. Mem- places that don’t know of the YGT up and can be seen at the Dales bers of the Conservation sub- and the grant, so you can help us by Countryside Museum (Hawes). The committee have been busy visiting spreading the word where you can for cases have been designed to be and debating. We try to make our the next schemes. robust, secure and short enough for scheme known via local authorities, (Continued on page 20) STOP PRESS...forthcoming events Thursday 26 February Visit to Ling Beeches, Shadwell Leeds

Tuesday 3 March YGT/YPS Joint Annual Lecture by Peter Goodchild - The Garden of Eden: Registered Charity No. 1060697 a story for our time, Tempest Anderson Hall, York

YORKSHIRE GARDENS TRUST Saturday 7 March The Harewood House Estate: A tour of the 18th century landscape Louise Wickham, YGT Newsletter Editor, Saturday 28 March The Old Malt Shovel, AGM, Swinton Park Main Street, Hensall, Wednesday 29 April North Yorkshire Middlethorpe Hall, York – Gardener’s Tea DN14 0RA Saturday 2 May Tel: 01977 663471 Japanese Garden Society, Harlow Carr: AGM and talk on new Japanese Email: garden at Harlow Carr, contact [email protected] [email protected] Wednesday 20 May (Continued from page 19) Floriculture Conference, Harewood (see details in box on front page and children to read but tall enough for insert) adults not to get sore backs and the garden related items inside are Thursday 28 May easily changed. The display is Visit to Pennyholme, 10 acre country garden at Fadmoor seasonal to reflect what is hap- pening in the garden and to relate Tuesday 23 June what has been learnt from the in- Midsummer Picnic, re-created walled garden at Skipwith Hall, near Selby terviews and memories – currently it’s bastard trenching using fallen Tuesday 30 June leaves in the base of the trench. Evening visit to Cowesby Hall near Thirsk Incidentally the garden includes Marie Hartley’s gooseberry bush. changed forever, thanks to the Of the other grants in the generosity of the Yorkshire Gar- 2007-8 scheme, £1,000 has dens Trust in providing £750 given to the Castle Garden towards the purchase of 93 rho- Project – Derwent Riverside dodendrons which are being Project at Malton, North sourced from Western Scotland. Yorkshire for the mainte- nance & management of the These will be in a variety of col- existing trees on land which ours and will bloom from De- is becoming a public park. cember through to August. The oldest plant dates from 1814, Work for the other three and another one has received grants is still in progress; an Award of Garden Merit. We £500 to the Friends of Beau- have liaised with Parks and mont Park, Huddersfield, see Countryside, Sheffield, to ar- www.fobp.co.uk, £750 for range for land preparation and York Gate Garden, at Adel planting to take place, and all near Leeds and funding to the action will occur in late No- the Friends of Whinfell vember/December 2008. The Quarry Garden, Sheffield last year has seen a great towards the replanting of change in this Grade II regis- rhododendrons. tered garden, starting with the Heritage Lottery Award and In November David Jordan ending with the rhododendron from the Friends of Whinfell bed supported by the YGT.” Quarry Garden wrote, “From 2009, the view, when one One of the outdoor display cases at the Dales enters the garden will be Val Hepworth Countryside Museum, Hawes