Mayor meets new patron of Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

TEAMWORK: Anne Kendrick (front), with gardeners Stephen Webb and
Gordon Sammons, the present chair of trustees Simon Cleaver, chair of the
gardens committee David Howell and Solihull's Mayor, Coun Kate Wild.

A WOMAN who played a vital role in restoring Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens to its former glory has been made a patron of the site.
Anne Kendrick was one of the original trustees of the project to reclaim the ten-acre tract of land, which had been neglected for decades.
Thirty years after the hall gardens' trust was formed, Anne's role in restoring one of the borough's hidden gems was recognised by the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Kate Wild.
The Mayor dropped in at the attraction last Friday (April 17) to celebrate National Open Gardens Day.
Coun Wild said: “It is lovely to be in these gorgeous gardens on such a beautiful day – the hard work by all those who volunteer to keep them looking immaculate and true to their heritage is evident.
“It is an honour to be here with Mrs Kenrick, who has been so instrumental in keeping the gardens going right from the beginning of the restoration process, over 30 years ago.”
During her visit, the Mayor also met with the team who help tend the borders and beds of the site and members-of-the-public who had taken advantage of the one-off free admission.

• Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens is currently running monthly taster sessions for people who might like to volunteer. The next one is this Friday (April 24) from 10am-12noon. You can register to take part here.

Timeline:
1982: The gardens are "rediscovered". After decades of neglect they are derelict, overgrown and have been repeatedly targeted by vandals. But the basic structure has survived and is much as it would have been in the early 18th century.
1985: The trust is set up to take the lead on the restoration work. Mrs Kendrick is the first chairman.
1988: The gardens open to the public for the first time. Within a decade, the main restoration will be completed, taking the site to how it would have looked between 1680-1740.