£18,000 project to improve Sheffield Botanical Gardens completed after months of hard work

Matthew Sibley (trustee), Andy Phillips from Sheffield City Council. and Miles Stevenson (trustee).

The project has been led by the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust the charity which supports the gardens and has previously supported many important initiatives, including the building and equipping of the Dorothy Fox Education Centre in the popular visitor attraction.

Working closely with Sheffield Council, the trust raised £18,000 for completion of a major refurbishment of the railings and gates which surround the 19 acre site.

The money was raised from donations, investments and legacies; money that has previously helped the building of the education centre, as well the creation of four huge environmentally-friendly composting bays, and a grant towards the new South African garden.

Trustee Miles Stevenson checks out the repainted gates.

Trustee Miles Stevenson said: “A couple of years ago we had to redo the compost bays – four huge areas.

"The railings was about balancing the plants and the actual infrastructure. If you don’t maintain them, eventually you will have a problem, so this was to make sure they were properly stripped down, fully repainted and it has been painted a dark green, and gold. It looks sorted, it was a huge project.”

The railings and gates were last painted in 1996, and have been weathered over time.

“We started doing end the railings and gates at the end of October and finished around March time. They look absolutely stunning,” Miles said.

"They look absolutely stunning," said trustee Miles Stevenson.

“1996 doesn’t seem that long ago, but 25 years is a long time, and we are aware that the people of Sheffield love the gardens, especially during the pandemic.

“People were going to enjoy the beauty and get fresh air. We know they are much loved and our job is to work with the council and Friends of the Botanical Gardens to make sure that it is looking really, really good.”

The Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust plans to work on the pavilions for their next project, and will be looking to raise donations.

The trust is continually raising funds for new projects to enhance the gardens as a centre of horticultural excellence and beauty, and for the enjoyment of all visitors.

Visit www.sbgt.org.uk to find out more.