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National Trust Opens Up Its Grounds To Train Heritage Gardeners
By Dawn Marshallsay
11/07/2008
Image: Photo of a woman trimming grass at the edge of a path
Catherine Mobbs, a trainee on the Careership Garden programme, at work in Ickworth. © NTPL
The National Gardens Scheme will open 3,600 gardens to the public on Saturday July 19, to raise money for cancer and caring charities, as well as the National Trust’s garden Careership programme.
A sharp decline in the number of skilled gardeners in Britain is causing a real crisis in horticulture, according to the National Trust. Its three-year Careership programme has been training up new heritage gardeners, aged 16 and over, since 1991.
The National Trust currently employs over 450 skilled gardeners and more than 1,500 garden volunteers. Careership trainees have also gone on to join other horticultural-based organisations, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Eden Project.
Image: Photo of a man tending gardens in front of a stately home
Oxburgh Hall gardens. Photo Mike Selby. © NTPL
Catherine Mobbs, who has been taking part in the Careership programme at the Trust's Ickworth House for two years, said: “The two-year Careership programme is a fantastic opportunity to not only learn the practical skills of gardening but also the theory behind it.”
Visiting the gardens is a chance to enjoy horticultural beauty and raise money for their preservation at the same time. Over the last seven years alone the National Garden Scheme has donated around £190,000 a year to the Careership programme.
Among the vast range of gardens opening to raise money for the charities and the Careership programme is the shady Wooded Pleasure Grounds at Ickworth in Surrey. The property's Italienate garden will also be open to visitors.
Image: Photo of a mansion with large grounds
The Workhouse, in Southwell, is the most intact workhouse in the country. © NTPL
Blickling Hall in Norwich will be in full bloom on the day with its dazzling borders. The beautiful French parterre at Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk will also be part of the National Gardens Scheme.
To emphasise the importance of preserving and maintaining National Trust gardens by using, where possible, traditional techniques, the replica 19th century working garden will also be open to visitors at The National Trust’s Workhouse in Southwell.
Here, long-standing methods and principles are used to grow fruit and vegetables. Workhouse itself contains interactive displays on other aspects of 19th century working life.
For information on opening times, the National Gardens Scheme and Careership programme, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AB, Surrey, England
Open: 9.30 am
Closed: Closing times vary according to the season.
Call 020 8 332 5655 for up-to-date information.
Kew Gardens is open daily except for Christmas Day and New Years Day
The Eden Project
The Eden Project, Bodelva, St Austell, PL24 2SG, Cornwall, England
Open: 31st Mar 2003- Nov 2nd 2003
9.30am - 6pm (last entry 4.30pm)
We revert to winter opening hours from 3rd November 2003.
Late Night Summer Opening
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 22nd July until 4th September we will be open until 8pm (last admission 6.30pm) so that our visitors can come and enjoy a quieter more peaceful Eden. Our restaurants will be open until 7pm so that you can come and have dinner and then enjoy a stroll around the biomes. Reduced admission prices apply after 4pm.
Closed: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Ickworth House, Park & Gardens (National Trust, East Anglia)
The Rotunda, Horringer, Bury St Edmonds, IP29 5QE, Suffolk, England
Open: 18 March-29 October
Park & gardens
Daily 1000-1700 (park open until 1900)
House
1300-1700
Closed Mon Thurs Last entry 1630
Closed during Winter
Blickling Hall, Park & Garden
Blickling, Nr. Aylsham, Norwich, NR11 6NF, Norfolk, England
Open: 30 October-21March
Wed-Sun 1300-1630
Workhouse, Southwell (National Trust)
The Workhouse, Southwell, Nottingham, NG25 0PT, Nottinghamshire, England
T: 01636 817250
Open: Open 1st Oct - 2nd Nov 2008:
Sat & Sun and October half term week Wed - Sun:
11.00 - 16.00
Please note last entry 1 hour before closing.
Closed: Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
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