As many of you may be aware Moorbank Botanic Gardens in Newcastle is facing an uncertain future below is a letter addressed to supporters of the campaign to keep them open.
Dear All,
Firstly the Friends of Moorbank would like to thank you for all your support especially over the last few difficult months, and for signing our petition on 38 Degrees.
Representatives from both the Friends and Kirkley Hall met with the Freemen last week to discuss our proposed options and look at ways in which we could work with the Freemen to improve and enhance the site at Moorbank.
We had a useful meeting and were able to exchange views and ideas for Moorbank, however, the final decision was that when the University withdraw from the site at the end of November, the Freemen wish to retain overall responsibility for the garden.
As yet the Freemen have not made plans for Moorbank, however, we have been assured that the Freemen do not intend to convert the land to grassland, and will assess the situation and develop plans for the garden following Newcastle University removing any plants which require specialist care or are of significance for research.
It is anticipated that many of the plants growing in the Tropical and Desert Houses will fall into the category of requiring specialist care, and the Freemen did not feel they have the skills or expertise to look after these plants. Research material and special category plants will be transferred to other locations. Discussions are ongoing between the University and the Freemen regarding the details and arrangements for removal of plants.
The Freemen were keen to improve public access to the Garden and further meetings will be held later in the year, dates not yet defined.
The Freemen were also receptive to the Friends continuing to provide gardening support. The University retains responsibility for the site until the 30th of November, and the Friends will meet with the Freemen on the 18th of November 2013, to make arrangements for access to the garden from the 1st of December.
We are very disappointed that we have been unable as yet to secure a positive solution for the Tropical House and Desert House. The future for both the Tropical and Desert Houses is still unclear and uncertain. We am still looking to see if there is some way in which they could be kept intact for the benefit of the residents of Newcastle. However, we are conscious that following the NGS Open Day on 8th September, the University will have a duty of care to start and relocate plants requiring specialist care, so time is running out.
On a positive note, the Friends are now working with the Freemen, and the volunteers can continue to help provide care and support to a much loved garden.
Eileen Killing, Helen Talbot, Christopher Souter, Nigel Todd, Jackie Aitken, Emeritus Prof John Richards.
Click here (facebook page) for details of the next open day
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