On Wednesday 4th September 2019 we were privileged to receive a visit from Mrs Sarah Beazley, High Sheriff.
Mrs Beazley was accompanied by the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, Cllr. Roger Trigg, Leader of the Council Cllr Tony Kingsbury, the Chief Executive Rob Bridge, and Ann MacDonald and Chris James of the Landscape & Ecology Department..
The Chairman of the Friends of Danesbury Fernery, John Roper, showed the High Sheriff around the site and gave her a pocket history of the Fernery’s construction by the Pulhams and Head Gardener Anthony Parsons, and a brief description all the work carried out by the FODF volunteers since the Project first started in September 2015.
Mrs Beazley met the group of volunteers who were on site and particularly liked the decorated Grotesque entrance, and was keen to understand how the Victorians might have brought water to the site.
Harry explained how the dropping well originally worked, and how we are currently replicating the process for demonstration purposes. The High Sheriff loved the Herbaceous beds and learned about their discovery and construction and was keen to learn how they were funded. Jenny Hawkins with Alan Taylor in support presented the wild flowers on the North Bank and the ferns were presented by Colin Adlam.
The Fernery was looking in splendid condition. Special thanks go to all the volunteers who have been watering, weeding and preparing the site over previous weeks and days in advance of the visit.
Mrs Beazley enjoyed her visit, and on departing she generously congratulated all the volunteer members of the FODF for our work in recovering this beautiful piece of Welwyn’s heritage.
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