The
BEAUREPAIRE
Garden
2004
The Lost Garden of Belper
Bridge Foot, Belper, Derbyshire
-- On the A517
Whilst working in his camera shop in Belper, Peter Davies was requested by a customer to
reproduce an old photograph depicting a man seated in a wicker bath chair, and standing by him a nurse dressed in Victorian style uniform.
The photo had been taken in what was the garden to the Cottage Hospital,the latter which stood and still does, as a private dwelling across the road at Bridge Foot, and the year in
question was 1905.
Every day Peter has walked past the spot where the photo had been taken but it was only after seeing that old print he realised that this now overgrown neglected parcel of land was once a Beautiful and Tranquil Garden.
After inquiries Peter managed to purchase part of the land and negotiated with the owner
holding the other share to lease the land for a pepper-corn rent, so that the area could once again be developed in to a garden. Approaches were made to Erewash Groundwork Valley who agreed to oversee the complete restoration of the garden. Plans were drawn up by Groundwork's Landscape Architect, grants applied for and successfully obtained and
contractors hired.
Work started in February and six weeks later the garden was complete and ready
to welcome local people and visitors to the town.
Given time says Peter, when the trees and shrubs come to maturity this haven will hopefully bring pleasure to all who stay a while in it
Even now Peter swears that during a recent warm twilight evening, he saw once again the man and his nurse sitting in the garden taking in the air and tranquility that has returned to this part of Belper.
This story was supplied specially for the November 2004 addition of Belper Celebration Magazine
by Peter Davies The Camera Shop, Belper. Thanks Peter
The above picture was take in July 2010
And is of the new side gateway entrance to the gardens
This picture was take in July 2010
Looking from the entrance towards the mill
This picture was take in July 2010
And is of the main seating area in the centre
of the gardens.
Note now it as change from the picture at the top of the page which was take in 2004
