Magazine’s concern over top gardens in Castlewellan

Magazine’s concern over top gardens in Castlewellan

29 August 2012

ONE of the most prestigious horticultural publications in the world has highlighted the threat to the historic Annesley Gardens in Castlewellan.

The Garden Magazine, the official publication of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), has featured the ongoing threat to the gardens, warning they are in a state of serious neglect.

The article in the news section of The Garden, pointed out that Castlewellan Arboretum, which includes the Annesley Garden, is home to 42 Irish champion trees and 18 oldest trees of their type on the whole of the British Isles.

“Garden heritage groups and politicians in Northern Ireland are expressing concern over the 118 acre arboretum and it’s 12 acre walled garden. Years of budget cuts have forced the forest service to reduce maintenance to a minimum,” said the article.

“Forestry Minister for Northern Ireland Executive Michelle O’Neill welcomed calls for restoration, but said money was not the only factor to be considered. ‘The assets have a heritage value, but they also need a modern use which will make the arboretum sustainable in the long term,’ she said.”

Pressure continues to mount on the Minister and the Forest Service to develop a sustainable and comprehensive programme of restoration of the Arboretum and Annesley Gardens.

The pressure has been heightened by the decision of the Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, to launch the ‘Protocol for the Care of the Government’s Historic Estate.’ This has been endorsed by the Northern Ireland Executive and commits the government to setting a good example in the care of its historic estate.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Built Heritage section has also written to the chief executive of the Forest Service expressing concern about the ongoing deterioration of the glasshouses and other structures within the arboretum.

Last week the Agriculture Minister announced she has asked for a restoration programme to be drawn up for the glasshouses.