A new moorland garden will be developed on the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate at the Moorland Discovery Centre with £26,000 funding from the Ramblers’ Association Ward legacy.
The award winning Moorland Discovery Centre, which opened in 2007, is a base for moorland education experiences for people of all ages. The Centre was built and is run by a partnership of the National Trust, Peak District National Park Authority and Moors For The Future. It was built to be a model for environmental best practice and was designed to create a low impact by using sustainable natural materials and techniques to keep its environmental footprint as low as possible. The final phase of the project is to landscape the grounds around the centre to the same high standard, creating a moorland environment and outdoor learning space.
The Ramblers’ Association Ward legacy was established in honour of George Herbert Bridges Ward. GHB Ward, known as the king of the ramblers, established the first working class ramblers’ club in the country in Sheffield (1900) to help people living in the industrial inner cities access and learn about the countryside.
Tom Franklin CEO of the Ramblers’ Association comments: “We are delighted that this legacy has given us the chance to help people appreciate and understand the unique Moorlands environment long into the future. “
Terry Howard, Ramblers’ Association Secretary for South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire, comments:
“It was only logical to continue the spirit of GHB Ward with the legacy money, and enable young people living in cities to experience the moorlands and what makes them so special.”
Mike Innerdale, the National Trust Property Manager at the High Peak & Longshaw Estate, said: “The development of this garden will provide a moorland experience for education groups and people who are unable to get out onto the moors. It will extend the learning potential of the Moorland Discovery Centre and mean that visitors can experience the moorlands, its species and its plants close up.”
The National Trust are working with Groundwork Trust to develop designs for the garden which will be divided into four zones. The area directly behind the Moorland Discovery Centre will be planted with moorland flora such as heathers, mosses, ferns, grasses and sedges and will mean that visitors can get close to the moorland vegetation, and even walk in and sit amongst it.
The northern edge of the garden will be planted with moorland scrub species such as rowan trees and moorland grasses. Gritstone boulders will represent the Dark Peak geology and a storytelling area will be almost hidden away amongst the vegetation. The existing scrub area will retain some meadow species, but some clearance work will be carried out in order to make the area accessible. Paths will be incorporated to improve access and flower beds and a bird feeding area will be installed.
A ground-level amphitheatre style seating area will also be created and this will be used to extend the learning space by creating an outside classroom area and an area for outdoor events.
Interpretation of the species and plants in the garden will be developed in conjunction with artists and visiting school and community groups. Ongoing maintenance of the Moorland Discovery Garden will be carried out by volunteers and as part of the activities of visiting groups.
Work is due to commence on the garden in the autumn.
