Fancy a stroll in a garden?
9:03am Tuesday 15th July 2008
The chance to spend a summer's day enjoying one of the North West's finest gardens is on offer this month when the National Trust opens the gardens at SIzergh Castle to help raise funds for the National Gardens Scheme and to promote its Careership Gardening Scheme.
Sizergh is one of 40 National Trust gardens across the country taking part in National Gardens Scheme Open Day - which this year plans to highlight the current shortage of skilled gardeners within the heritage gardening industry, together with the National Trust's own 'Careership' gardening scheme which provides the sector with qualified graduate gardeners to work in historic gardens.
John Hawley, Head Gardener at Sizergh Castle Garden and himself a former Careership trainee, says: "It is vitally important to the National Trust - and to many other gardens - that we have a steady supply of gardeners trained in the skills required to look after historic gardens - both now and in future. In recent years the heritage sector has been particularly hard hit by the decline in qualified gardeners which is why our Careership training programme is so important. The National Gardens Scheme has supported the National Trust for 50 years and in the last seven years has donated around £190,000 a year to this particular training scheme.
We hope that lots of people will come along on 19 July and enjoy the opportunity of experiencing Sizergh Castle’s gardens with talks by the gardening team.
Visitors to Sizergh can enjoy delicious local food in the Cafe, talk to John about how he and his team care for plants and garden; and go on a short tour of Sizergh’s gardens. The National Trust's shop will be open until 5 pm and offers a variety of delightful and original garden gifts.
Sizergh’s gardens will be open from 11.00 - 5.00 pm on Saturday 19th July. Admission charges apply including NT members as the event is supporting the National Gardens Scheme). Please note that the Castle will not be open on Saturday. For details and information call Sizergh Castle on 015395 60951. For more information about the National Trust gardens taking part on 19 July, and about the National Gardens Scheme and the Careership programme, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.