The story began in the mid-1990s when the Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden Conservation Group, a group of concerned local residents, were determined to stop the Garden being lost to make way for housing development. 

After an effective campaign they were successful, and the Commission for the New Towns (the predecessor of English Partnerships) agreed to retain the Garden and to refurbish it as a resource for the community. 

In 2005, when the Garden was transferred from English Partnerships to Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council with an endowment to fund ongoing maintenance, the Group's campaign to secure the future of the Garden was finally over. 

There is no doubt that the Garden's survival is due to the Group, and everyone who appreciates the Garden today owes them a debt of gratitude.

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One of our volunteer wardens welcoming a visitor.

Now that the Garden's future is secure, the role of a supporters group is changing.

In 2007 the Group has played a more active role in the Garden through their own efforts and through helping to engage the local community.

The Parish Council would like the Friends to be an active group - not just people who want to be informed of developments, but people who want to roll their sleeves up and shape them. 

Suggested activities of the Friends include:

• Contributing ideas on the future of the Garden

• Participating in maintenance and planned improvement of the Garden

• Raising funds for the development of the Garden

• Carrying out further research into the history of the Garden

• Acting as hosts and guides for visitors to the garden, both at regular openings and special events

• Publicising the Garden in the local community and beyond.

The Parish Council has now formally re-launched the Friends group so that volunteers can work under the direction of the new Gardener/Manager. There are now four active volunteer groups; events, gardening, visitor wardens and historical research.

To see a copy of the latest Friends Newsletter click here.

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If you would like to play an active part in the future development of the Garden, and ideally but not necessarily live locally, the Friends are keen to hear from you.

Please get in touch at friends@ghwalledgarden.org.uk and let us know your contact details - with no obligation or to download a membership form from the website click here.

We will be able to discuss ways of getting involved which suit your interests and the amount of time you are able to spend. We will also ask for a subscription of £5.00 per household to cover our administration costs, such as mailings.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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© Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council, 2006