Wirral nature lovers welcome historic garden’s re-opening

Feb 1 2012 by Jade Wright, Birkenhead News

ENVIRONMENTALISTS have been celebrating the reopening of a hidden Wirral gem, which has now been reopened for the benefit of community groups and residents.

Weekend access to the Walled Garden in Wallasey's Central Park had been restricted because of staffing issues.

However, following discussions between staff from the Council’s parks and countryside team and representatives of the various groups that use the facilities in the Walled Garden, an agreement has been reached which will mean the garden will once again be open every day.

The Walled Garden is an oasis within Central Park which features an informal café, run by volunteers who use Wirral’s day services.

Here, members of the local community can drop in Monday to Friday for hot or cold drinks and friendly conversation.

The volunteers, who all have disabilities, get the opportunity to put their independent living skills into practice. As well as serving in the cafe, they organise and take part in other activities around the garden.

In the early nineteenth century, Liscard Hall and the surrounding parkland was home of Sir John Tobin, ship owner, merchant, African trader and one-time Mayor of Liverpool. On the death of his successor, Harold Littledale, Wallasey Local Board bought the estate and opened it to the public on Whit Monday 1891.

Central Park has three formal gardens, the two rose gardens behind Liscard Hall, and the Walled garden.

Cllr. Anne McArdle, Wirral Council Cabinet Member for Social Care and Inclusion, said: “It is great news that this valuable and well-loved facility is back fully up and running. The volunteers get so much benefit out of the surroundings, the service they provide and contact they have with the local community.”

Cllr. Chris Meaden, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, added: “It is a shame that the Walled Garden hasn’t been fully accessible at times over recent months, but we’ve come to an arrangement that will ensure it can be opened up on a daily basis for the benefit both of park visitors and the community groups that get so much enjoyment from using it.”