A hidden part of Westbury heritage is about to reopen to the public – but green fingered volunteers are needed to help out.
Victoria Garden is a small enclosed walled and gated garden just off the All Saints churchyard. Once the millpond for nearby Town Mill, which burned down in 1861, the site has had a chequered history since as a boating pond, tennis court and allotments before becoming derelict and overgrown by the 1980s.
Owned by Wiltshire Council and formerly West Wiltshire District Council, the plot had been leased to the owners of nearby Brookhaven, who worked with tremendous dedication to construct, stock and, in 1992, open it to the public as Victoria Garden.
Now a community group – the Friends of Victoria Garden – has been formed to work with Wiltshire Council’s countryside team to look after the garden. There are plans to open it daily and they are hoping volunteers will help out with the care and maintenance of this unusual garden.
An open meeting of the Friends of Victoria Garden will be held at the parish hall in the churchyard on Wednesday 23rd September at 7pm. Everyone is very welcome to come along, hear more about the garden and find out how they might be able to help.
“It really is the most tranquil setting and we felt very strongly that we wanted to ensure everyone had a chance to enjoy it,” explained Julian Phelps, one of the Friends.
“We would like as many people as possible not just to enjoy this peaceful place but also to help maintain it as a real community facility. We would also like to hear from anyone who might have photographs of the garden or who knows more about its history.”
For more information just come along to the meeting or email fvgwestbury@yahoo.co.uk
