Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens are absolutely delighted to announce the award of a generous £89,300 grant from HS2, marking the beginning of an exciting eighteen-month project entitled Restoring Nature, Creating Access.
This significant funding brings renewed hope and determination as we embark on vital restoration and improvements throughout our cherished historic gardens and city green spaces.
This grant will allow us to undertake a transformative project, including restoration of boundary trees, replenishing hundreds of metres of box hedging lost to BoxMoth, enhancing biodiversity, opening up new and improved access paths, and championing composting and sustainable practices within the Gardens and local community.
The funding is from HS2s Community and Environment Fund (CEF) which was created to provide benefits to communities along the line of route that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction of the new railway. Further information about CEF can be found at: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/hs2funds.
Head Gardener, Denise Seckham, shares her pride in the largely volunteer team’s resilience, as they thoughtfully balance the requirements of the historic gardens’ early18th-century design with contemporary environmental needs. The loss of the emblematic Box hedging in recent years has been a real test, emotionally and physically, but this new support inspires renewed efforts and optimism for the future.
Liam Byrne, MP for HodgeHill and North Solihull, whose constituency included the Gardens and Parkland says
“The work done by the charity on the Gardens and Parkland is inspiring. The funding from HS2 will provide much needed support for the Charity to continue to look after these valued and valuable historic green spaces. It will enable to continue expand
community participation and foster deeper appreciation of this unique natural environment by facilitating access to leisure and providing formal training opportunities.”
The CEF funding in combination with vital financial contributions from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust UK and The Rowlands Trust means our Gardens are now well-placed to tackle these challenges, safeguarding the historic character of the estate while embracing innovation and sustainability. The project is due to commence in early summer and will run through to the end of 2027, working hand-in-hand with our ongoing seasonal maintenance and the rhythm of nature itself.
The Gardens team is deeply committed to minimising disruption for visitors and ensuring that our vibrant calendar of events and activities continues uninterrupted.
Community engagement and volunteer involvement remain at the heart of everything we do, in keeping with our forty-year tradition, and we warmly invite everyone to keep an eye out for ways to participate as this exciting project unfolds. Together, we are shaping an inspiring future for Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens!
