VOLUNTEERS from u3a are content they have brought a piece of the past to the present with a historic garden they have been working on.
For three years the members have been creating and fine-tuning a space allocated to them by the National Trust, who manage the site, in the Union Jack garden at Wentworth Castle Gardens in Stainborough.
The geometric garden was originally built as a tribute following the Acts of Union between England and Scotland in 1707 and featured triangular spaces to create the look of the flag from above.
The National Trust have set out to restore them to their former glory.
The brief and their own rules proved restrictive but local member Niall Clarke, 61, is pleased the group have achieved their aim.
He said: “We only used plants that were available in the late 1700s.
“We also wanted to use u3a colours of yellow, blue and white which restricted us too.
“The open day we held recently marked an end to the project but it’s by no means finished gardens never are.
“A milestone has been reached as we move from creation to maintenance of the space.
“It has to be maintained otherwise it goes to weeds very quickly.
“We are happy with how it’s gone but know there is still quite a bit to do.
“We hope the garden will be enjoyed by members and friends for many years to come.
“We started in the classroom to design and pick the plants and were allocated a professional gardener from the National Trust to help pull it all together.”
The garden is 22m x 28m x 35m and has views of the house and beyond the valley toward Barnsley.
Niall added: “The hedges, mixed evergreens, are now lower than the original design and create a more open aspect.
“In our design, two wide grass paths take the visitor from either entrance to a central mulberry tree with a third path off to a pergola seating area where visitors can relax, chat or just entertain their own thoughts.
“The planting is in the three large triangles formed by the hedging and paths.
“That the garden is welcoming and accessible is very important.”
