Council's help with physic garden's finishing touches - 20/10/06

 

The £300,000 development of a physic garden in Cowbridge has been given a further boost by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

 

The Council, which has already given the Cowbridge Physic Garden Trust a 25-year lease – at a peppercorn rent – for their garden at the town's Community College walled garden, has now agreed a £12,000 grant towards a pergola.

 

As well as the Council, the project has been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Creative Rural Communities (Article 33 grant) and by members of the public across the area.

 

Recreating an 18th century physic garden, the development only features plants found in Britain before 1800 that were used for medicinal purposes. Of paterre design, the garden also features a fountain and summer houses.

 

Although work is ongoing, the garden is now open to the public and will be officially unveiled next summer.

 

Trust publicity officer Mike Meredith said: "We are very grateful to the Council for their tremendous support. They have provided us with another great boost which will help us put the finishing touches to this wonderful project. The garden is a huge asset to the community and will delight people of all ages."

 

Council Leader Cllr Jeffrey James commented: "The Council has been delighted to support this wonderful scheme which is a great tribute to the hard work of the Trust and has transformed an overgrown area into an oasis of beauty and interest.

 

"I would urge anyone visiting Cowbridge and with a love of gardens to take just a little time to discover this marvellous project."