Gardens

The sub-committee was established following the extraordinary AGM in 2021, during which issues surrounding tree cutting and communication about works were discussed. The sub-committee met for the first time in October 2021, during which they drew up their constitution and defined their aims. Since then, the committee has met on a monthly basis on average.

The remit of the sub-committee includes managing the existing maintenance required for the Gardens and other areas of Rowley Park, as well as developing a plan for future maintenance. A four-year plan was drawn up to address the necessary work to maintain the trees and shrubs.

Additionally, the sub-committee agreed to hold events to raise money for the upkeep and improvement of the gardens, with the aim of holding four events per year. In 2023, we held the Carol Concert and the Jubilee Party.

Plans

The four-year plan is well underway, with Lyndon Marr removing tree stumps, roots, and self-seeded sycamores from the Rowley Avenue end of the garden. He has also been reducing the ivy and raising the crowns of several yew trees to allow more light and moisture to reach the ground.

We were successful in our community bid application to the council and were awarded £500. This funding has been used to purchase the first of the new trees to bring more colour into the Pleasure Gardens: liquidambar for autumn colour, avian cherry, strawberry tree, two hydrangeas to replace the laburnums, and a silver birch ‘Snow Queen’ planted for the Queen’s Jubilee. All of these new additions contribute to the richness of the gardens.

Recent Events

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Phased Plans

There remain a number of maintenance and management challenges that require careful consideration over the next phase of the plan. The sub-committee is keen to follow the advice of the Head Gardener of Dorothy Clive Gardens in addressing the decline in the rhododendrons through pruning and shaping. We aim to avoid using herbicides and pesticides, and we are committed to respecting the bird nesting season, which lasts from the end of March to the beginning of September.

We also believe that the Pleasure Gardens can play a role in reducing the decline of pollinators. By adopting a planting and mowing regime that allows some of the grass and wildflowers to grow, while keeping the majority of the grass closely cropped, we can contribute to this effort.

Adhering to these principles presents several challenges for the sub-committee. Observing the nesting season limits the amount of time major work can take place. Avoiding the use of chemicals necessitates exploring alternatives such as citronella or mechanical root removal, which can be more expensive. Additionally, we need to carefully consider a planting scheme for the two verges on Rowley Avenue, which, after the loss of the oak, appear sadly neglected.