23 JANUARY 2007 - The Friends of Bebra Gardens in Knaresborough have had their community efforts recognised by the National Lottery. They have just been notified that their application to the Community Awards for All fund has been successful with a grant of £9962 - just £38 short of the maximum available under this scheme.

 

Formed in 2005, the Friends have already started making inroads into restoring these beautiful gardens working alongside Harrogate Borough Council's Parks Team.  Their ultimate joint aim is to attain Green Flag status for Bebra Gardens named in honour of the town's links with Bebra in Germany but which were formerly known as Moat Gardens because of their proximity to the Knaresborough Caste moat.

 

The grant will be used to engage Golders Associates, a multi national company with a local office in Tadcaster, to produce a master restoration plan for the gardens.  The plan will guide the restoration and development of the work, which will be done in conjunction with the Friends Group and the Parks Team will also be further consulting the Town Council as well as local residents.

 

Deb Wright, Harrogate Borough Council's, Parks Development Manager, said: "This is exactly the sort of reason why we are keen to get volunteers working with us.  Statutory bodies, like councils, can't source outside funding in the same way a Friends Group can.  The Awards of All lottery funding pot is a great source of income and by having a properly formed and constituted body like the Friends of Bebra Gardens it means we stand a good chance of getting money.  But to get to a near maximum grant is all down to the support and enthusiasm which the individual members of the Bebra Friends have shown."

 

As well as time and commitment for the group, the council is also helping out financially to support the Friends' endeavours, as is North Yorkshire County Councillor Richard Hall and Knaresborough Town Council.

As well as pruning back a lot of overgrowth and revealing some of the stunning views from the gardens, the Friends have also been restoring rockeries and planting out over 600 polyanthus to give some winter and spring colour.  They will continue to sweep and tidy the gardens but await the finalisation of the master plan before any other major work is carried out.  ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:  The Group meets monthly and is always keen to attract more volunteers.  They have even created a website so people can keep in touch with what is happening and may even attract a few more willing helpers.  The website with some stunning photographs is at www.knaresborough.co.uk/bebragardens