For those who are interested in the National Botanic Garden of Wales
at Middleton and the associated BioTechnium incubator project:

I was at the meeting held yesterday in the Glasshouse to discuss the
future of the Gardens. What I gathered is that the remaining Trustees
have put together a rescue plan which has been submitted to the Welsh
Assembly, and they are waiting to hear back from the Assembly after
the decision is taken tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd December.

Now this might sound like the Trustees haven't learned a thing and are
going to go on demanding public money to fund their big lunches while
the members are left to buy sandwiches (for those who remember the
fiasco at the opening of the walled garden.) But I truly believe, both
from talking to the two trustees present *and* from a number of
ex-employees 'in the know', that this is not the case.

- They are down to 6 trustees. I don't know how many they started
with, but this was mentioned by several people.

- They have also got rid of the various hangers-on. Again, I don't
know exactly what this means but it seemed a source of satisfaction to
a number of people. So a cruel person such as myself might say that it
looks as though the rats have left the sinking ship, leaving the
actual captains behind to go down with her.

- They have most especially sacked those responsible for the more
extravagant wastes of money such as the unpopular and horribly
expensive rebranding to 'Middleton' or paying an expensive
psychologist to 'motivate' the team.

- They have taken on board many of the criticisms made by members. So,
on the subject of the lack of communication, they have put together a
very nice newsletter, copies of which were available on the day, and
are assembling a team of volunteers, working under the current Press
Officer, to keep this going.

- *If* they get the nod from the Assembly, various other funds are
already agreed, such as the remaining money from the original
Millenium grant, but are simply frozen until the garden itself is on a
sound financial footing.

- The Biotechnium Incubator project is also just waiting to see if the
mothership is sound. The building itself is complete, only needing
finishing touches such as the equipment to be installed in the labs.
Funding for this has apparently been agreed with the WDA, and the
project has companies waiting to move in, so if the Assembly gives the
word it could be up and running within a few months.

So if you read this and want to support the Gardens to become what the
gardening community in Wales actually want, there are two things you
could do.

First of all is doing some volunteer work. So the meeting of
volunteers to put together the newsletter, for example, is at the
Gardens on the 10th of December at 1pm in Principality House.

Secondly, and on rather short notice, you could email the Assembly
(especially your AM if you live in Wales) before Tuesday to urge them
to support the Gardens. You can find contact details for you Assembly
member at http://www.wales.gov.uk/

Apparently Middleton would not qualify for a large annual grant such
as those that support the big Botanic Gardens in England and Scotland,
but it is surely a better use of Assembly mony than a second Assembly
building!