Alan Titchmarsh visits Winchester to open Hyde Abbey Garden.
Celebrity gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh was in Winchester this evening (Monday 22nd October 2007) to switch on the lights which mark the completion of Hyde Abbey Garden.
Launched in 2003 as Winchester’s project to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the garden represents the eastern part of Hyde Abbey Church, burial place of King Alfred the Great.
The 35 low-energy, low-intensity lights have been carefully designed to provide a special atmosphere at night, similar to candle light in a church. Funding has been raised by the Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden (FOHAG), a local community group that has worked alongside Winchester City Council to create and promote the garden.
FOHAG Chairman and local councillor Sue Nelmes, said: “We are delighted at the response from local people and organisations in the six months since we launched our fundraising campaign for the lights. The illuminated garden will be a really special place for both Winchester residents and visitors."
Prospective Winchester MP, Steve Brine, attended the ceremony with local Hyde resident, Abdul Kayum. Steve said: "This is a tremendous acheivement that once again shows the ability of Winchester people to set their sights on a dream and work damn hard to acheive it. I was just honoured to be there (and to meet Alan as a bit of a fan!)".
The garden is located at the end of King Alfred Place in Hyde, adjacent to the River Park Leisure Centre car park. The garden project began after excavations in 1999 and 2000 uncovered the long-lost remains of Hyde Abbey church, and the graves of Alfred the Great, his queen and their son in front of the high altar. Local residents were determined that the site should not be re-buried and forgotten, and commissioned internationally famous landscape architect Kim Wilkie to design a permanent memorial.
The specially-designed lights will be fitted to the holly columns which mark out the major structural features of the Abbey church. The lights have been sponsored by Rathbones, Winchester NatWest bank, the Hampshire Gardens Trust, the City of Winchester Trust, the Winchester Rotary Club and several private donors. Hampshire County Council provided a timely grant to help complete the project. Winchester City Council has also provided funding and valuable professional and technical support.
Steve Brine is pictured above at the Hyde Abbey Gardens with 'Miff' Kayum and his young son.