Public asked views over Carmarthen’s Bishop's Park walled garden revamp plans
Work will include restoration of historic glass houses, creation of an educational garden and performance space
Above: An aerial view of the Parc yr Esgob - Bishop's Park Walled Garden (Image: Tywi Valley Gateway Trust)
The public is being encouraged to have its say over restoration plans for the walled garden at Parc yr Esgob – Bishop’s Park within the grounds of Carmarthenshire Museum in Abergwili.
The Tywi Gateway Trust is displaying its vision for the garden, which will be the next area of the park to be restored.
The trust says it is are one step closer to completing the final piece of the jigsaw at the park, with the restoration of the ‘secret’ walled garden, which once grew fruit and vegetables for the table of the Bishops of St Davids.
Work will include the restoration of three historic glass houses, the creation of an educational garden and performance space.
The trust has been awarded more than £203,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of development phase funding for the restoration of walled kitchen garden.
Parc yr Esgob - Bishop's Park Walled Garden Project has also received £137,127 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of Carmarthenshire Council’s Sustainable Communities Fund.
More funding will then be applied for to deliver the scheme following the development phase.
On Wednesday, April 10, between 1pm and 4pm, the plans can be seen at Sero in Red Street, Carmarthen, and on the same day at The Black Ox pub in Abergwili between 5.30pm and 7pm. The plans are also at the foyer next to Stacey's Kitchen at Carmarthenshire Museum until April 21.
People will be able to comment on the designs and put their views in
ballot boxes provided.
Project manager Louise Austin said the vision “is to make the garden accessible to all". She added: "A space for growing and learning, cultural inspiration, physical and spiritual well-being and most importantly enjoyment.
"This will include the restoration of three historic glass houses, the creation of a fully accessible educational garden and a performance space among the heritage fruit trees. Through these changes, we want to encourage greater diversity and inclusivity amongst our volunteers and visitors so that it is a garden for everyone. So we need to know what everyone thinks.”
The park was originally created by the Bishops of St Davids and a four-year, £2m Heritage Fund-supported project, undertaken by Ymddiriedolaeth Drws i’r Dyffryn – Tywi Gateway Trust achieved a remarkable transformation and saw the first stage open two years ago.
In 2022, the previously neglected public space saw the opening of a new café and learning space in the once derelict outbuildings of the Old Bishop’s Palace, now home to Carmarthenshire Museum.
The Tywi Gateway Trust took over the management of the park from Carmarthenshire Council, and the walled garden from the Representative Body of the Church in Wales, in 2018.
As well as the public displays of the plans, people can fill in a survey on the project website here.
