Welsh gardens make funding request

Welsh gardens make funding request

» 21st April 2010 «

Those looking for gardening inspiration in Wales may be disappointed to hear that a major horticultural attraction has been forced to ask the Welsh Assembly for help with funding.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the National Botanic Garden of Wales is set to undergo an independent review after it requested the money.

Bosses at the site hope to be given a further £250,000 in state funding due to a predicted drop in revenue from falling visitor numbers.

The Assembly has agreed to the grant, although minister for heritage Alun Ffred Jones insisted that the assessment be carried out.

It will look at the garden's finances and future prospects, as well as how it is managed, and is expected to be completed by the summer.

"The garden welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate the significant steps forward it has taken, and is taking," director Rosetta Plummer said, adding that the review had been agreed as part of a 2008 financial package.

In other news, the RHS has revealed that a Bedford garden attraction is to open its gates to the public for the first time since its completion in 1810.