A GARDENER'S WORLD AT WESTONBIRT
Garden enthusiasts will discover much more than glorious spring colour if they visit the National Arboretum, Westonbirt during the first week of May. A diverse programme of walks, talks and workshops hosted by experts and garden owners is planned alongside an exhibition to celebrate the launch of a unique new DVD and book titled 'The Heart of a Garden'.
Many leading experts are lined up to share their knowledge, including the arboretum’s very own Head of Collections, Hugh Angus. Guest speakers include ‘naked gardener’ Barbara Pollard from Malmesbury’s stunning Abbey House Gardens, Wendy Dare of Moreton-in-Marsh’s horticultural treasure Mill Dene Gardens and Paul Moir from the Painswick Rococo Gardens, who will be sharing his experience of this phenomenally successful restoration project.
The Heart of a Garden runs from Wednesday 2nd - Monday 7th May and includes guided walks that offer participants a whole new way of looking at the Grade-1 listed arboreal landscape. Discover more about topics such as trees for the small garden, plant hunters and the Holford Garden heritage. Botanist and Friend of Westonbirt Rosemary Westgate will be putting a spring in her step as she leads a walk across the Downs in search of some rare wild flowers that flourish on the site as a result of traditional grassland management.
The Heart of a Garden DVD and book launch is at the centre of this event. It’s a celebration of some of the South West’s most beautiful ‘open’ gardens and a week-long photo exhibition in the Great Oak Hall from 12.30pm - 4pm each day will give visitors a sneak preview of the contents.
Recorded over 18 months, producer/director Martin Gaunt said it offers far more than a horticultural guide: “Our film is about gardens and people, not just those that create and work in them, but the people that enjoy them and give them added purpose.”
The result is a refreshing and personal portrait of a diverse range of gardens and the film is accompanied by a photographic book overflowing with images that capture the colours and textures, the very essence, of a garden.
“Westonbirt, as one of the UK’s foremost horticultural authorities, has been invaluable to the project,” Martin continues. “The arboretum - with its history, incredible collection of trees and shrubs and, importantly, with its enthusiastic and knowledgeable employees and volunteers - has provided the film with some of its most memorable images.”
There are limited numbers for the walks and talks so pre-booking is advisable. Please call or check website from the beginning of March for details. Talks are charged at an additional £3 per person, and normal arboretum admission prices apply (adults - £7, conc. £6, child - £2).
Westonbirt is open all year between 9am and 8pm, or dusk if earlier. For more information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt or call the Arboretum on 01666 880220.
Notes to Editors:
1. Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, is renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains over 17,000 specimens, including almost half of those woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone, and covers 600 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Its importance is recognised by English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a Grade 1 Listed Landscape.
2. Westonbirt is managed by the Forestry Commission. Visitor numbers are just under 350,000 per annum with a membership of over 19,000.
3. Westonbirt Arboretum was established in 1829 by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son, George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is often credited to Sir George's plantings of Japanese maples between 1875 and 1900, many of which are still alive today. Unlike many arboreta, Westonbirt is laid out according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria, and the Holfords' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out amongst some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.
4. Westonbirt is home to the National Maple (Acer) Collection, with over 300 different types in the collection. The Forestry Commission opened Westonbirt Arboretum to the public in 1961, and in 1966 a new Acer Glade was established alongside the original one planted by Robert and George Holford in 1870. Today we are in the process of creating the world’s best collection of maples.
5. Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road). It is 10 miles north-east of Junction 18 of the M4 and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.
6. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk
For further information or images please contact Charlotte Hazelby or Alison Jennings on 0117 9441166 or email info@cspr.uk.com
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