Thanks for this, Gordon.
Moira
On Thu, Mar 16, 2017 at 10:18 AM, Gordon Ferguson <
gordon.ferguson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
It's a beautiful building - go and have a look.
Central Officer posted: " A new education centre was officially opened at
Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens today (Wednesday 15 March) by the Duke of
Devonshire, Peregrine Cavendish. The Duke, who is a patron of the Sheffield
Botanical Gardens Trust, welcomed guests to the ne"
New post on *Central Sheffield*
<https://centralsheffield.wordpress.com/author/centralofficer/> Education
centre opens at Sheffield Botanical Gardens
<https://centralsheffield.wordpress.com/2017/03/16/education-centre-opens-at-sheffield-botanical-gardens/>
by
Central Officer
<https://centralsheffield.wordpress.com/author/centralofficer/>
A new education centre was officially opened at Sheffield’s Botanical
Gardens today (Wednesday 15 March) by the Duke of Devonshire, Peregrine
Cavendish.
The Duke, who is a patron of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust,
welcomed guests to the new Dorothy Fox Education Centre.
Named after the extremely generous donor who made the project possible,
the centre aims to transform the use of the gardens as an educational
resource for people of all ages in Sheffield.
It has a library and three flexible classroom areas which can be combined
to create a large lecture area. It will also offer educational
opportunities for schools and practical courses for adult learners, as well
as a programme of lectures, demonstrations, art classes and photography
courses.
Councillor Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure at
Sheffield City Council, said: “Since the Botanical Gardens opened in 1836,
the site has provided generations of Sheffielders with a beautiful spot of
tranquility and natural beauty.
“I hope that this new education centre will help to inspire people to
enjoy the gardens, which are a real jewel in Sheffield’s crown.
“I would also like to thank our very generous donors, and groups including
the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust (SBGT) and the Friends of the
Botanical Gardens, Sheffield (FOBS) for their support, ceaseless
fundraising and hard work.
“Without them, creating this new education centre would simply not have
been possible.”
The Grade II-listed Botanical Gardens were created in 1836 by Robert
Marnock, a leading horticulturalist and landscape designer of his day. In
1951 the gardens, which cover 19 acres, were leased to Sheffield City
Council from the Sheffield Town Trust.
The site now has 15 different garden areas featuring collections of plants
from all over the world, including Mediterranean, Asian, American
prairie-style, woodland and rock-and-water plantings.
It also plays host to a calendar of functions and events, including the
annual Art in the Gardens festival which draws in art and culture lovers
from all over the North.
Development of a new education centre and educational activities has been
a long-term aim since the completion, in 2005, of an ambitious restoration
project which saw the pavilions and gardens returned to their former
glories.
Since then, the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust and FOBS have continued
to raise funds for the improvement of the site. Further money has also come
in from private donations, from gifts from local charitable foundations and
through legacies from generous supporters including FOBS members Barbara
Holland and Mildred Rushby.
Dorothy Fox, after whom the centre is named, was a Sheffield woman who
loved the gardens so much that she left a house in her will to the
Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust.
Her substantial legacy funded much of the development of the new education
centre, so it was felt only fitting to dedicate the name of the building to
her.
The new education centre replaces a temporary and outdated classroom block
and will enable botanical, horticultural and heritage-based educational
activities for people of all ages.
The development, which will merge learning with outdoor life, also adds to
Sheffield’s growing reputation as The Outdoor City.
Jill Sinclair, chairman of FOBS, said: “We are thrilled by the opening of
the new centre, which gives us chance to develop some exciting new
initiatives.
“It has the potential to put Sheffield on the map as a major venue for
horticultural education in the north.”
Joe Kavanagh, on behalf of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust, said:
“Many past and present trustees, patrons, members of FOBS and the Gardens
Team have worked very hard to deliver this education centre.
“Constant fundraising by FOBS and the Trust, continued support from the
Freshgate, JG Graves and Church Burgesses charitable trusts and some
wonderful legacies have provided the funding.”
*Central Officer
<https://centralsheffield.wordpress.com/author/centralofficer/>* | March
16, 2017 at 9:57 am | Categories: General
<https://centralsheffield.wordpress.com/?cat=54> | URL:
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