News from the Garden
News 2009
This article was published in the IW County Press 19th June 2009
I am sure there will be plenty to interest bees, and people, if an ambitious plan to restore one of Ryde’s hidden gems takes off.
It only seems like yesterday I was living in a caravan, estranged from my then partner — now my wife — and working for the old Weekly Post (remember that?).
Oh, and Dr David Bellamy opened the newly restored Vernon Square Gardens that had been a bit of forgotten wasteground I often investigated as a very naughty youngster…
Vernon Square Preservation Society had purchased the freehold to secure its future but funding has always been problematic in the 20 years since the good doctor’s visit. Volunteers have also waxed and waned and, sadly, numbers are now at an all-time low.
However, the society is now looking to draw up a plan for the permanent, and sustainable, restoration of the gardens and to obtain funding and assistance from various organisations.
Among those leading the drive are garden designer Loren Thorn and Mike Fitt, who lives locally and is a former curator of the Royal Parks in London.
At the minute, things are at the planning stage but while that’s going on an hour or two of work each weekend by volunteers is getting the park looking much tidier.
The core of volunteers is keen to attract more help, too.
Once it is cleared of perennial weeds and other nasties, they will, hopefully, have some funding in place to start improving the soil and working on the knackered hard landscaping, before planting the garden according to a long-term management plan.
Combined with all this they are hoping to involve Ryde Social Heritage Group and other local organisations. That will hopefully result in noticeboards going up giving a history of the square and raising its profile within the local community.
Music in the Gardens is on tomorrow (Saturday), where a jazz trio, and then Ryde School Swing Band, will play from 5pm, raising funds for the preservation society. It is hoped the event will attract more volunteers. More information and contact details are available at www.vernonsquare.co.uk. Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk
News 2008
The Vernon Square Preservation lost two long term supporters and members of our committee this year.
Christine North who passed away earlier in the Summer. Christine was an inspiring member of the committee, who's hard work especially at Summer Parties and Ground Force garden cleanups will be sadly missed. We would like to thank everyone who made donations to the Society in Memory of Christine.
We also will miss, Kevin Doran who passed away recently. Kevin, was one of our long term members who helped organise work groups for the garden via the community service scheme and helped obtain vital funding for the garden from various sources.
We are also sad to announce the death of Mr Peter Norwood who was one of the original founders of the VSPS, he died after a long illness, the committee would like to extend their sympathy to Mr Norwoods' family.
Newsletter Autumn/Winter 2006
Greetings to you all.
Winter is now drawing in quickly. Spring and Summer have passed and Autumn has started with a rush. The Garden had a clean up over the weekend of 28th and 29th of October, which meant the hiring of a skip to remove garden waste and a variety of rubbish that had been dumped in the garden.
The Society has been very busy this year, we are pleased to announce that our purchase of the freehold of the garden has been successful, this will mean that the garden is protected from development and will remain a private garden which is available to the public to enjoy for eternity.
The 6th Ryde Arts Festival this year was an outstanding success again. The Poetry reading held by the University of the Third Age (U3A) members was very well attended by a wonderful cross section of young and old alike. The poetry was inspiring and enjoyed by everyone who attended.
The VSPS web site is going from strength to strength. Claire Kay is keeping the site updated on a regular basis and has added some new photographs to the gallery from the U3A poetry readings and our very sucessful Wine and Cheese party that was held in July.
We have so far held three very successful events during 2006. The Poetry reading by U3A, The Cheese & Wine and our table top sale, these were very well attended. Thank you all for your support.
The problems with anti-social activity and vadalism have been kept to a minimum, the security of the garden has been improved and the removal of the tops of the fir's at the north end of the garden has helped to discourage anti-social behaviour. We have been able to keep the garden open right through the summer. Please note now that winter is decending upon us the garden will be closed eairlier in the evenings until the spring.
Previous Newsletters Please click on link to read archive.