Brunswick Organic Nursery Walled Gardens Open Day
Friday afternoon 15th September was a beautiful day to be out and about.
And for the many people who came to the public launch of the re-vitalised Palace walled gardens, it was a day to remember - and a day for memories too.
Brunswick has rented the smaller of the two walled gardens since 2004, and started on the larger garden in 2005. The walls are thought to have been built in 1785, and the gardens had a long and varied hsitory until their decline during the 1950's. Fruit, vegetables and a famous herbaceous border have featured over the years, and Brunswick staff students and volunteers have made great strides towards restoring them to their former glory.
Tea was served in the newly restored workshop, a band played, and the crops and effort were admired by all.
Villagers, staff, and students at Brunswick and their relatives flowed through the grounds, enjoying the flowers, newly planted fruit trees and the huge marrow and squash patch.
Villagers told tales to staff of climbing the walls as childern to scrump the apples and pears, and of the regular Friday vegetable market during the difficult days of 1942.
An exhibition told the story of the garden, and Brunswick staff encouraged people to get in touch with their memories of its history.
John Sentamu attended with the Lord Mayor amd the Lord Lieutenant, and assisted at the unveiling of a plaque to mark the opening of the new workshop...
before posing with two students who helped him choose a ripe pumpkin for his supper!
Congratulations are due to all who worked so hard to make it a great day, and provide such an asset for training and for the village.
You can download a pdf with more photographs here.