http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml THE ELFORD HALL GARDEN PROJECT: Blog Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:23:22 -0500 http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml/263d9eba2b22a7260ff350def63547c6_46fb92aa.writeback Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:23:22 -0500 PRESS RELEASE The Elford Hall Garden Restoration Team was delighted with response to their "Open Day" on Sunday afternoon. Cream teas were free as people came to the garden and viewed the group's plans. This walled kitchen garden dates back to the Georgian period and has not been cultivated for a number of years. Substantial work now needs to be done on the wall and buildings. The beautiful site has river frontage on the Tame and is over 7 acres. The garden was gifted to Birmingham in 1936 as part of the 500 acre Elford Estate. The benefactor Howard F Paget had made his own personal fortune after the Great War. Another gift included the "Elford Wing" of the then Royal Masonic Hospital. Paget wanted the estate to be used as a "Park of the people", sadly the war intervened and the idea never came to fruition. The Birmingham Trust and Charities Committee are now willing to grant the group a 35 year lease at a peppercorn rent. Birmingham's willingness to consider the proposition is giving a unique opportunity to realise some of what Howard Paget must have dreamed. The group plan to create an open and free park for people of the village and region to enjoy. There will be riverside walks, picnic areas and maybe a tennis court and bowling green. Fruit trees will be replanted around the walls of the garden and an orchard planted next to the Victorian gardener's cottage. Some parts will be left as conservation areas. Consideration is also being given to the creation of new rights of way for the public to enjoy. A lot of work will have to be done. The group are now pursuing funding opportunities for the project. A society for "Friends "is being formed and people are also wanted to join in with the physical work involved. Details can be found on the group's web site:- vhttp://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/0.html Sunday afternoon was a lovely event. The weather held and over 120 people came to the event. A spokesman for the group, villager Dick Cowley, said "Seeing couples stroll through the meadow outside the wall was great. Children were playing and you can hear the sound of laughter. This is just how it will be when the hard work is done. The satisfaction for those who want to get involved will be enormous. We intend to create preserve some of the rural heritage for people to enjoy now and also for the generations to come". Dick Cowley http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml/49b71960510af4ccf968cc63636c847f_46c18b71.writeback Tue, 14 Aug 2007 06:01:05 -0500 Birmingham City Council are now willing to grant a long term lease at a peppercorn rent!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml/984805fc85f5ba7a9137ab05973e68d2_44c50ec7.writeback Mon, 24 Jul 2006 13:17:43 -0500 On Sunday the 23rd of July Councilor Mathew Ellis came to the Walled Garden and met with a group of villagers. Photographs were taken and a press release regarding the vote is being prepared for the newspapers. It is hoped to set up a further meeting with Birmingham in the coming weeks. http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml/5fb222da9d2cdb0fd18510d6e3948084_44c50e22.writeback Mon, 24 Jul 2006 13:14:58 -0500 The ballots were counted at the Howard School by the Parish Council and some members of the project team. This took place on the 18th July. The final result was a clear vote in favour of the project. Two hundred and fifty one people were in favour of the project and 51 were against. Eight ballot papers were spoiled. A total of 504 ballots were issued. This is a return rate of 60%. We live in a beautiful village and none of the project team would do anything to mar that beauty in any way. Our sole intent is to preserve an area of rural heritage that we will otherwise lose. The concerns of some villagers will be taken into account and everything possible done to minimise or remove any problems. A great opportunity is just around the corner. We need to realise that there are still hurdles to jump. We need to negotiate a lease with Birmnigham. At that point we still have to secure the funding for the proje4ct. Each step takes us closer. http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml/0837679b964ed67fc7839a4940a72793_44b66237.writeback Thu, 13 Jul 2006 10:09:44 -0500 Between 30 and 40 people came and walked around the garden site. It was an opportunity to look at the Hall gardens and see the potential for a project there. Luckily it was a beautiful evening and the tour went well. There was a lot of interesting discussion about issues relating to the idea. Both positiive points and those which concerned villagers were discussed. Another walk will be held tonight the 13th July and another glorious evening of sunshine is expected. http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml/c191f13348e2302ee7499aeda38ff37d_44b1fe38.writeback Mon, 10 Jul 2006 02:14:00 -0500 Letters have gone to every house in the village from the Parish Council. Everyone now has the opportunity to vote on whether they want the walled garden for the village. The letter states that the Parish Council do not know what the alternatives are for the walled garden. They are aware that the options consist of:- SELLING INTO PRVATE OWNERSHIP, BUILDING OF HOUSES SUBJECT TO PLANNING OR A COMBINATION OF THESE In relation to the planning there is a letter with Lichfield which is going to John Prscotts Office. VOTE TO KEEP THE WALLED GARDEN AS AN OPEN SPACE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS!!!! http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml/f443353aa155485039be687a0a8581fc_44a94642.writeback Mon, 03 Jul 2006 11:30:58 -0500 Leaflets were delivered to every hous in the village on the 70th anniversary of the Squires gift of the Estate to Birmningham. The leaflets set out the plan for the walled garden. They also give details of the walks around the garden on the 12th and 13th of July. The walks will start at the playground at 8pm. Eeryone should look at what might be before they decide how to vote. http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml/c0627b5345a2e899e0d799b181a2c2a3_44995344.writeback Wed, 21 Jun 2006 09:10:12 -0500 MAY 2006 Meeting took place with Birmnigham at Stafford. Chairman of the Parish Council present at the meeting. Birmnigham require a further questionaire to be put to the village as they want to be assured that the village is in agreement with the project. http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml/58c2237c91df4f4962fbbc345ffff053_4499521e.writeback Wed, 21 Jun 2006 09:05:18 -0500 NOVEMBER 2005 Lengthy document submitted to Birmingham detailing a proposal for the restoration of the walled garden. Report compiled by Dave Watton and Dick Cowley http://www.elfordhallgardens.zoomshare.com/3.shtml/1e77e2d60e0c47f1dc1b58dca14fa564_44995199.writeback Wed, 21 Jun 2006 09:03:05 -0500 A Questionaire / circular was sent to every house in the village following the public meeting. The circular asked for views / opinions / concerns and what people wanted to see there. Virtually all the replies to the circular were positive.