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National Botanic Garden of Wales
Hi folk
I was lucky enough to go to this last Tuesday, on the day that it made headline news as they are not expecting to be able to keep on funding it... and not enough folk are going. Got interviewed by BBC Radio Wales for my reaction, which was a bit stunned as it was the first I'd heard! http://www.gardenofwales.org.uk/ As a gesture of thanks to all the support they are receiving from people (but not, it seems, the politicians...) the place is open for free on Saturday and Sunday 4th and 5th October, with voluntary donations appreciated (normal cost £6.95). I would recommend going, if only because it may be the last chance. They have just finished rebuilding a double walled garden, and are digging in green manures this week so they can bring the second half into cultivation next year. If they can... The place is nowhere near at it's full potential as the plantings have only been in for a maximum of three years. But you can see where they're going if allowed. At the moment there are a lot of plants still in flower for inspiration if you need autumn colour. Maps are on the website, but it's not *that* hard to find. There are a lot of signposts. A few miles away are Aberglasney gardens and a few other places of note for gardeners, and loads of B&Bs for low cost if needed. I'm not connected with it at all - just went as part of a recharging batteries week pottering about, and am quite upset that something that potentially good is being threatened by the penny pinchers... -- jane Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist but you have ceased to live. Mark Twain Please remove onmaps from replies, thanks! |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"jane" wrote in a message:. Hi folk I was lucky enough to go to this last Tuesday, on the day that it made headline news as they are not expecting to be able to keep on funding it... and not enough folk are going. -- Perhaps like me, they hadn't a clue it is there. A bit late in the day to start advertising its existence don't you think? Aphodius |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
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National Botanic Garden of Wales
"Janet Baraclough" wrote in message ... The message from (jane) contains these words: Hi folk I was lucky enough to go to this last Tuesday, on the day that it made headline news as they are not expecting to be able to keep on funding it... and not enough folk are going. (snip) (normal cost £6.95). !!!!! There's the reason why not enough people go. Janet. But people flood to Eden which costs £10 for adults! Natalie |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"jane" wrote in message ... Hi folk I was lucky enough to go to this last Tuesday, on the day that it made headline news as they are not expecting to be able to keep on funding it... and not enough folk are going. Got interviewed by BBC Radio Wales for my reaction, which was a bit stunned as it was the first I'd heard! http://www.gardenofwales.org.uk/ I, by chance, on Tuesday I caught a bit of a radio program saying that the gardens may have to close unless they get funding. I'm so surprised that they don't already get some funding. They definitely need more publicity to give them a higher profile. That is why people flock to Eden but not to the Nat. Botanic Gardens of Wales! It was on my list of places to visit this summer but I didn't manage to get there...shall definitely make a bigger effort at half-term. Anyone care to join me, Probably 29th or 30th October? Natalie |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"..........I'm so surprised that they don't already get some funding.
.........." They have had a lot of funding including an additional 1/4 of a Million pounds from the Welsh assembly, and now a further 1/4 million Half from the local council and the other half from The Welsh assembly again. This is on top of all the grants (Lottery etc) to get them set up in the first instance. News Release from the gardens http://www.gardenofwales.org.uk/ There are many good gardens to visit in this part of Wales and details of most of them can be had from the Welsh Tourist Board.not from their web site) Carmarthen council web site at http://www.tourlink.co.uk/indexframenoflash.cfm Swansea http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest.../gardens.shtml and there a lot more. -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"Natalie" wrote in message ... "Janet Baraclough" wrote in message ... The message from (jane) contains these words: Hi folk I was lucky enough to go to this last Tuesday, on the day that it made headline news as they are not expecting to be able to keep on funding it... and not enough folk are going. (snip) (normal cost £6.95). !!!!! There's the reason why not enough people go. Janet. But people flood to Eden which costs £10 for adults! Eden has had a much more vigorous PR campaign Eden is very close to a very popular holiday area. Franz |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
On Fri, 3 Oct 2003 19:59:39 +0100, "Aphodius"
wrote: ~ ~"jane" wrote in a message:. ~ Hi folk ~ ~ I was lucky enough to go to this last Tuesday, on the day that it made ~ headline news as they are not expecting to be able to keep on funding ~ it... and not enough folk are going. ~-- ~Perhaps like me, they hadn't a clue it is there. A bit late in the day to ~start advertising its existence don't you think? ~ This is apparently one of the criticisms levelled at the management. I knew of it's existence because of the BBC Gardener of the Year a couple of years ago, held in the then-bare glasshouse. But apart from that they haven't said an awful lot. It's within reach of the largest Welsh cities, yet is struggling badly. The other main thing is that it is not publicised in England, and neither was it's plight. I was told by one of the reporters there that because of devolution they can't go to the UK parliament and get it propped up - and the Welsh Assembly just doesn't have the funds... political mess, anyone? Pity they didn't have a few marketing droids a la Micro$oft... Kew also is £7.50 to get in and Wisley is now £6. And as was mentioned, the Eden Project is a tenner. If you want to go to an RHS show you're looking at silly prices (£9 last weekend on the gate for the Malvern Autumn show, which I went to en route to Wales and which was incredibly crowded - but still a fraction of the cost of Chelsea, £22 this year on a Member's day). Gardens aren't cheap these days, sadly. I guess it also says something about the lack of publicity about south Wales as a holiday destination - the places I went to were stunning. If anyone wants a cheap break away from it all, go youth hostelling in the Brecon Beacons... wow. There's red kites, lots of gardens, even more fantastic countryside, castles, Hay on Wye if you're a bookworm like I am (bought 34 secondhand books!) and it's unspoilt. Highly recommended. But do you hear about these places? Nope... possibly why it's unspoilt! I am now back to the unwelcome prospect of going back to work tomorrow... -- jane Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist but you have ceased to live. Mark Twain Please remove onmaps from replies, thanks! |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
".........This is apparently one of the criticisms levelled at the
management. I new of it's existence because of the BBC Gardener of the Year a couple of years ago, held in the then-bare glasshouse. But apart from that they haven't said an awful lot. .........." They did a lot to publicise it, but the Press found the development of redundant china clay pits with the largest greenhouse I the world far more news worthy than the rescue and renovation of an old garden. If it hadn't been yet another Millennium project, and there was that thing in London that was taking a lot of media space at the time........and that ****** Dome cost a hell of a lot more and only lasted a year, and had a lot of handouts just to get it through that year. How is anyone supposed to find it when The capitol of Wales isn't signposted till you are almost into Wales. Come out of London on the M4 and you soon see Newport listed for mileage, but it is a long time before Cardiff is listed. Probably because "Westminster" doesn't want people to discover the delights of Wales. We're a well kept secrete. -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
On Sun, 5 Oct 2003 19:25:04 +0100, "David Hill"
wrote: ".........This is apparently one of the criticisms levelled at the management. I new of it's existence because of the BBC Gardener of the Year a couple of years ago, held in the then-bare glasshouse. But apart from that they haven't said an awful lot. .........." They did a lot to publicise it, but the Press found the development of redundant china clay pits with the largest greenhouse I the world far more news worthy than the rescue and renovation of an old garden. If it hadn't been yet another Millennium project, and there was that thing in London that was taking a lot of media space at the time........and that ****** Dome cost a hell of a lot more and only lasted a year, and had a lot of handouts just to get it through that year. How is anyone supposed to find it when The capitol of Wales isn't signposted till you are almost into Wales. whereas London is sign posted 536 km away on the A4 just outside Schiphol airport. -- Martin |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
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National Botanic Garden of Wales
On Sun, 5 Oct 2003 19:25:04 +0100, "David Hill"
wrote: ~".........This is apparently one of the criticisms levelled at the ~management. I new of it's existence because of the BBC Gardener of the Year ~a couple of years ago, held in the then-bare glasshouse. But apart from that ~they haven't said an awful lot. .........." ~ ~They did a lot to publicise it, but the Press found the development of ~redundant china clay pits with the largest greenhouse I the world far more ~news worthy than the rescue and renovation of an old garden. ~If it hadn't been yet another Millennium project, and there was that thing ~in London that was taking a lot of media space at the time........and that ~****** Dome cost a hell of a lot more and only lasted a year, and had a lot ~of handouts just to get it through that year. True. I made a conscious effort to Not go to that thing in London. So did all of my friends, all of whom share your sentiments. Admittedly we did all trot off to the Eden project in its first week, but that was made somewhat easier by one of them having access to a Cornish cottage not far off... so we made a holiday of it. ~ ~How is anyone supposed to find it when The capitol of Wales isn't signposted ~till you are almost into Wales. ~Come out of London on the M4 and you soon see Newport listed for mileage, ~but it is a long time before Cardiff is listed. Probably because ~"Westminster" doesn't want people to discover the delights of Wales. ~We're a well kept secrete. jane decides to blow this secret as there are some stunning gardens and other places to visit Llanddeusant YHA is near Aberglasney gardens and Dinefwr (NT: not open Tues or Weds) castle and gardens, Dryslwyn castle remains (great view and free to scramble up) and the Botanic garden as well as the Beacons. Capel-y-Ffin YHA also hosts a Pony Trekking centre and does day treks regardless of if you've ridden before. The black mountains round there are just stunning. Capel-y-Ffin YHA is £9 a night and does full board on top of that, and Llanddeusant is also £9 a night. Both are in the middle of nowhere, out of mobile range and fantastic. I hadn't youth hostelled for some years and was extremely pleasantly surprised. The beds these days have duvets, individual reading lights at some hostels, and large kitchens and facilities for walkers. There are also loads of farmhouse B&Bs. Aberglasney gardens: http://www.aberglasney.org/ Dryslwyn: http://www.castlewales.com/dryslwyn.html Dinefwr gardens and castle: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scri...PROPERTYID=217 http://www.castlewales.com/dinefwr.html YHA: http://www.yha.org.uk/website-yhauk/...gnl/wales.html and I didn't even scratch the surface of what else there is to do!!!!! In addition, the autumn colours are just amazing right now... Have fun.... -- jane Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist but you have ceased to live. Mark Twain Please remove onmaps from replies, thanks! |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"David Hill" wrote in message ... [snip] They did a lot to publicise it, but the Press found the development of redundant china clay pits with the largest greenhouse I the world far more news worthy than the rescue and renovation of an old garden. Heligan, another renovated old garden, is doing very well, by all accounts. Both Heligan and Eden had much better PR than the Welsh garden at the crucial time. If it hadn't been yet another Millennium project, and there was that thing in London that was taking a lot of media space at the time........and that ****** Dome cost a hell of a lot more and only lasted a year, and had a lot of handouts just to get it through that year. How is anyone supposed to find it when The capitol of Wales isn't signposted till you are almost into Wales. Come out of London on the M4 and you soon see Newport listed for mileage, but it is a long time before Cardiff is listed. Probably because "Westminster" doesn't want people to discover the delights of Wales. We're a well kept secrete. Franz |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message ... Eden has had a much more vigorous PR campaign And lots of free publicity during construction... Eden is very close to a very popular holiday area. The National Botanic Gardens (now called "Middleton") are just a short drive from the Gower. They are a short trip from Pembrey Country Park and less than an hour from Tenby or any of the Pembrokeshire holiday spots. The stupid thing is that very few people realise what they are missing in South Wales. On the other side of the Bristol Channel the Grockles are falling over each other on the Devon & Cornwall beaches. On August Bank Holiday I took an eight-mile walk along a pristine sandy beach (from Burry Porth through to Cefn Sidan and Pembrey). There was no-one on the beach at Burry, I met a few dog walkers on Cefn Sidan. Pembrey had about five hundred bunched together on half a mile of sand. The rest was deserted! Eden is very close to a very popular holiday area. It used to be popular with me too - but I now find it overcrowded, overpriced and over-touristified (?) to the point of tackiness. The Beacons, Pembrokeshire and the Gower have the climate, the scenery and the beaches - but not the Grockles and the Tat. (Ducks swiftly and waits for the incoming flak....) |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use.
http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"Sad Sid" . wrote in message ... Eden is very close to a very popular holiday area. It used to be popular with me too - but I now find it overcrowded, overpriced and over-touristified (?) to the point of tackiness. The Beacons, Pembrokeshire and the Gower have the climate, the scenery and the beaches - but not the Grockles and the Tat. (Ducks swiftly and waits for the incoming flak....) No flack from me, I live in the Brecon Beacon National Park and I agree with you. One small point, Middleton is in west Wales, not south. -- Howard Neil |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"David Hill" wrote in message ... Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use. http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ David Hill Or B&B for garden lovers: http://www.specialplacestostay.com/t...bgl/index.html Jenny |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 13:46:13 +0200, "JennyC" wrote:
"David Hill" wrote in message ... Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use. http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ David Hill Or B&B for garden lovers: http://www.specialplacestostay.com/t...bgl/index.html or *Bread* and Breakfast, as it's referred to in a current Dutch sailing magazine. -- Martin |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 13:46:13 +0200, "JennyC" wrote:
"David Hill" wrote in message ... Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use. http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ David Hill Or B&B for garden lovers: http://www.specialplacestostay.com/t...bgl/index.html It's database seems to be empty what am I doing wrong? -- Martin |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"martin" wrote: "David Hill" wrote Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use. http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ David Hill Or B&B for garden lovers: http://www.specialplacestostay.com/t...bgl/index.html or *Bread* and Breakfast, as it's referred to in a current Dutch sailing magazine. Martin And here's me trying sooooooo hard to teach 'em English :~)) Jenny |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"martin" wrote " wrote: "David Hill" wrote Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use. http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ David Hill Or B&B for garden lovers: http://www.specialplacestostay.com/t...bgl/index.html It's database seems to be empty what am I doing wrong? Martin I found three ways to access the DB : 1) Click on England, Scotland or Wales just under the picture if Britain (right hand side of screen) 2) Click on Map Search (right side) Click on the part of the country and so on......... 3) Click on a County (left side of screen) Then fill in the extended search and the county Jenny |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 16:59:46 +0200, "JennyC" wrote:
"martin" wrote: "David Hill" wrote Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use. http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ David Hill Or B&B for garden lovers: http://www.specialplacestostay.com/t...bgl/index.html or *Bread* and Breakfast, as it's referred to in a current Dutch sailing magazine. Martin And here's me trying sooooooo hard to teach 'em English :~)) LOL Do you want the reference? page 13 of Schipper m/v Numero 6 "Slapen langs de waterkant Bread and Breakfast ofwel logies met ontbijt" It's the current edition I suspect somebody was a victim of a spell checker. Are you Dutch Jenny? -- Martin |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"..........One small point, Middleton is in west Wales, not south........."
Or shall we say South West Wales -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 17:05:29 +0200, "JennyC" wrote:
"martin" wrote " wrote: "David Hill" wrote Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use. http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ David Hill Or B&B for garden lovers: http://www.specialplacestostay.com/t...bgl/index.html It's database seems to be empty what am I doing wrong? Martin I found three ways to access the DB : 1) Click on England, Scotland or Wales just under the picture if Britain (right hand side of screen) 2) Click on Map Search (right side) Click on the part of the country and so on......... 3) Click on a County (left side of screen) Then fill in the extended search and the county but it already knows the county and I want to know what ia available in the county. "Click on an area to list *all* its BBGL entries." Is one supposed to work through each county, town by town? Entering Yorkshire followed by York finds a lot of places that are not York, including Stonebeck Gate Farm near Whitby, which claims to have free range children and dogs! I clicked both Yorkshire and Berkshire and got a response of "Sorry, there were no places in our database matching your search criteria. Please try again." Going via the map one ends up with same result - nothing. -- Martin |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"David Hill" wrote in message ... "..........One small point, Middleton is in west Wales, not south........." Or shall we say South West Wales -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk Geographically, you are correct. Goodness knows why it is called west Wales when there are places further west (and up a bit) that are mid Wales. By the way, interesting web site. I may look in on you when we are a little nearer spring. -- Howard Neil |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"martin" wrote , "JennyC" wrote: "martin" wrote: "David Hill" wrote Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use. http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ David Hill Or B&B for garden lovers: http://www.specialplacestostay.com/t...bgl/index.html or *Bread* and Breakfast, as it's referred to in a current Dutch sailing magazine. Martin And here's me trying sooooooo hard to teach 'em English :~)) LOL Do you want the reference? page 13 of Schipper m/v Numero 6 "Slapen langs de waterkant Bread and Breakfast ofwel logies met ontbijt" It's the current edition I suspect somebody was a victim of a spell checker. Are you Dutch Jenny? Martin No - born and bred within the sound of Bow Bells ! Been in Holland for more than 30 years now (got stuck here as a hippy.......) And you ?? Jenny |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"martin" wrote JennyC" wrote: "martin" wrote " wrote: "David Hill" wrote Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use. http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ David Hill Or B&B for garden lovers: http://www.specialplacestostay.com/t...bgl/index.html It's database seems to be empty what am I doing wrong? Martin I found three ways to access the DB : 1) Click on England, Scotland or Wales just under the picture if Britain (right hand side of screen) 2) Click on Map Search (right side) Click on the part of the country and so on......... 3) Click on a County (left side of screen) Then fill in the extended search and the county but it already knows the county and I want to know what ia available in the county. "Click on an area to list *all* its BBGL entries." Is one supposed to work through each county, town by town? Entering Yorkshire followed by York finds a lot of places that are not York, including Stonebeck Gate Farm near Whitby, which claims to have free range children and dogs! I clicked both Yorkshire and Berkshire and got a response of "Sorry, there were no places in our database matching your search criteria. Please try again." Going via the map one ends up with same result - nothing. -- Martin Might be better to email them than ask me Martin :~)) I have never really looked for a place to stay as the family is handily scattered in more or less the right places :~) Jenny |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 20:12:03 +0200, "JennyC" wrote:
"martin" wrote , "JennyC" wrote: "martin" wrote: "David Hill" wrote Anyone wishing to go garden visiting might find this site of use. http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/ then if you need somewhere to stay then http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ David Hill Or B&B for garden lovers: http://www.specialplacestostay.com/t...bgl/index.html or *Bread* and Breakfast, as it's referred to in a current Dutch sailing magazine. Martin And here's me trying sooooooo hard to teach 'em English :~)) LOL Do you want the reference? page 13 of Schipper m/v Numero 6 "Slapen langs de waterkant Bread and Breakfast ofwel logies met ontbijt" It's the current edition I suspect somebody was a victim of a spell checker. Are you Dutch Jenny? No - born and bred within the sound of Bow Bells ! Been in Holland for more than 30 years now (got stuck here as a hippy.......) And you ?? I came here to work for two years, 38 years ago, -- Martin |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 20:13:56 +0200, "JennyC" wrote:
Might be better to email them than ask me Martin :~)) I have never really looked for a place to stay as the family is handily scattered in more or less the right places :~) I knew most of the places already, except the place with the free range children and dogs. We rent a cottage fairly near to it, when we visit UK. Here is a better list of places to stay. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml;$sessionid$Y5JPR3JRFKGVRQFIQMGSFF4AVCBQWIV0?xml=/travel/exclusions/etpaddyindex.xml -- Martin |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"Howard Neil" hneil@REMOVE TO REPLY.co.uk wrote in message ... "David Hill" wrote in message ... "..........One small point, Middleton is in west Wales, not south........." Or shall we say South West Wales -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk Geographically, you are correct. Goodness knows why it is called west Wales when there are places further west (and up a bit) that are mid Wales. Probably for the same reason as West Yorkshire is East of where I live in North Yorkshire Franz |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"Howard Neil" hneil@REMOVE TO REPLY.co.uk wrote in message ... "David Hill" wrote in message ... "..........One small point, Middleton is in west Wales, not south........." Or shall we say South West Wales -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk Geographically, you are correct. Goodness knows why it is called west Wales when there are places further west (and up a bit) that are mid Wales. Probably for the same reason as West Yorkshire is East of where I live in North Yorkshire Franz |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
In article , David Hill david@abacusn
urseries.freeserve.co.uk writes They have had a lot of funding including an additional 1/4 of a Million pounds from the Welsh assembly, and now a further 1/4 million Half from the local council and the other half from The Welsh assembly again. This is on top of all the grants (Lottery etc) to get them set up in the first instance. I missed this thread a month ago when it came around, so apologies for joining so late..... But there was an announcement today that the gardens had accepted an offer of a (relatively) small amount of funding to keep it going (for a while at least) I don't know all the facts, but I'm under the impression that other botanic gardens in this country receive massive funding on an annual basis from the government. I don't think the NBGOW money comes anywhere close so 'a lot of funding' is perhaps not correct in this context. I'm fortunate in living only about ten minutes drive away and I've been three or four times this year. I knew it was going to be a long term project (as is any garden) but I've been very pleasantly surprised as to how much work they've done and how well things have come on in the last two years. (And its so annoying that the TV news pictures are archived and show it as it WAS when it was first opened!!) Its a very nice day out now. In years to come its going to be tremendous. Even if it can't self-fund itself, I just can't understand why the government isn't stepping in to keep it going on a permanent basis. Must be some political reasoning I'm not aware of methinks! -- __________________________________________ Gareth Jones "Reality sucks - go watch a Star Trek" To email, remove the '_ns_' from __________________________________________ |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
You might find this of interest
Grant gives Wales' botanic garden new lease of life David Ward Tuesday October 7, 2003 The Guardian A £43m Welsh lottery project that looked as if it might go the same way as the Millennium Dome was thrown a cash lifeline last night. The trustees of Middleton, the national botanic garden of Wales which boasts Britain's largest single-span greenhouse, announced that they had accepted a £353,000 emer agency package which would enable the garden to stay open "in the short term". But Middleton's future is uncertain as it searches for new funding, and redundancies among the 100 staff seem inevitable. The garden, opened in 2000, aimed to attract 250,000 visitors a year to its 226-hectare (568-acre) site at Middleton Hall in Carmarthenshire. But the project, with a serious research brief, failed to achieve the success of the Eden Project in Cornwall. The number of visitors paying the £6.95 admission charge dropped to 150,000, prompting a cash crisis, which threatened jobs. Last week the trustees appealed to the Welsh assembly when it seemed as if the garden, which received £21.6m from the Millennium Commission, could go into administration. The assembly came up with a financial offer, which would have kept Middleton open for just one month. The trustees said the strings attached to the deal were unacceptable. But just before the weekend, they were offered a new deal put together by Carmarthen county council, the assembly and the Millennium Commission. The council and the assembly offered £150,000 each and the commission has contributed £53,000. "During this period of financial respite, the Welsh assembly government will lead the search to find a funding partner for Middleton," said a statement from the trustees. "The garden will remain open, but to maximise available funds, it will be operated with a skeleton staff. All staff contracts will be honoured, with appropriate redundancy pack ages being put in place." At the weekend, the trustees offered free entry to Middleton and all records were broken when 4,500 visitors arrived. Evelyn Thurlby, Middleton's chief operating officer said: "Visitors' comments underlined just how important having a national botanic garden is for Wales." Middleton is the first national botanic garden created in Britain for 200 years. -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
The last funding, wit almost all staff sacked and around 200 volunteers
looking after the grounds will only keep the place afloat till just before Xmas. Several botanic gardens are funded from the public purse,and most of these have No admission charge. The funding would come from the Welsh Assembly, not from Westminster, and there are not many in Wales who would see a payment of several Millions of pounds a year for a garden that is still charging a hefty admission fee to be a good way of spending a limited budget. There is no way that Carmarthen council will fund the gardens when they wouldn't even put up the £30,000 needed to keep Llanelli flower show going( and this was one of the best shows in Wales). Sorry, but unless outside money can be found then it's curtains for Middleton as it now is. -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"Gareth Jones" wrote in message ... SNIP: : Its a very nice day out now. In years to come its going to be : tremendous. Even if it can't self-fund itself, I just can't understand : why the government isn't stepping in to keep it going on a permanent : basis. : Must be some political reasoning I'm not aware of methinks! : : -- : __________________________________________ : Gareth Jones : Possibly because they feel that the welsh can't have it both ways ie nationalism when it suits them, or because they feel there are more important things to spend money on ie health, education, social services etc. I'm not a political animal so I am not advocating the rights or wrongs of this argument, just suggesting a possible reason.. K |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 23:15:25 -0000, "David Hill"
wrote: The last funding, wit almost all staff sacked and around 200 volunteers looking after the grounds will only keep the place afloat till just before Xmas. Several botanic gardens are funded from the public purse,and most of these have No admission charge. The funding would come from the Welsh Assembly, not from Westminster, and there are not many in Wales who would see a payment of several Millions of pounds a year for a garden that is still charging a hefty admission fee to be a good way of spending a limited budget. There is no way that Carmarthen council will fund the gardens when they wouldn't even put up the £30,000 needed to keep Llanelli flower show going( and this was one of the best shows in Wales). Sorry, but unless outside money can be found then it's curtains for Middleton as it now is. In the last few days I saw a brief item in the Daily telegraph saying that some sort of deal has been done to get Tim Smit to help a plan together. sorry, I don't have a reference to it. Regards, VivienB |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
"K" wrote in message ...
"Gareth Jones" wrote in message ... SNIP: : Its a very nice day out now. In years to come its going to be : tremendous. Even if it can't self-fund itself, I just can't understand : why the government isn't stepping in to keep it going on a permanent : basis. : Must be some political reasoning I'm not aware of methinks! : : -- : __________________________________________ : Gareth Jones : Possibly because they feel that the welsh can't have it both ways ie nationalism when it suits them, or because they feel there are more important things to spend money on ie health, education, social services etc. I'm not a political animal so I am not advocating the rights or wrongs of this argument, just suggesting a possible reason.. K Why is Eden in Cornwall a success? Because its sold to people via advertising and "free" features on the telly. Its certainly no cheaper to get in to. This was brought home to me a couple of weeks ago when I saw a tourist ad for Scotland followed back to back by a Welsh tourist ad. You've probably all seen them. The Scots one sold a concept of Scotland, all heather, mountains, warm cosy log fires and romance. The Welsh one ran along the lines of "Come to Wales, its jolly nice" I know which one attracted me and I live in Wales. Until the Welsh tourist board gets its act together the NBCW and most other Welsh attractions are never going to succeed. Im not suprised its failing, how many times have you seen it featured on TV? Mark |
National Botanic Garden of Wales
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National Botanic Garden of Wales
The national assembly said today that a close watch is being kept on several
private bidders who are interested in forming a partnership with the botanic Gardens, but they don't want to loose the Millennium funding that is still coming in. -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk |
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