Cracking month for Elford Gardens restoration

The news from the Walled Garden this week just didn’t seem possible four years ago…

I’ve written before about the amazing efforts of a volunteer group of locals who set out determined to restore an historic and very lovely Walled Garden at Elford to its former glory of over 200 years ago.

At that time a grand Hall stood over the gardens area but the whole estate was bequeathed to the care of the City of Birmingham many years ago and fell into disrepair. The Hall was pulled down 50 years ago and the Walled Gardens have deteriorated badly ever since.

But five years ago a handful of local people from Elford Village decided enough was enough and something needed to be done. That ’something’ was a plan to restore the Walled Garden and remaining Gardener’s Cottage.

And after a bit of help from me along the way in dealing with Birmingham City Council, and a rollercoaster ride, the group are now proud holders of a long peppercorn rent lease for the Gardens and a big fat cheque after a successful Heritage Lottery application.

So an amazing boost to the enormous and stunning work the volunteers have been doing to the Gardens and Cottage over the last year or so. Birmingham are fully on board, the Elford Walled Garden is fast returning to its former glory and the £250k funding will mean a significant speeding up towards something very special indeed. 

A wonderful example of a determined community (and lots of them now) pulling together against the odds and my heartiest congratulations to all concerned.

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