Transition Derby

Tuesday May 24^th was just the right day for the Arboretum Park’s Green Flag inspection, some sunshine, not too hot and a balmy breeze. I discovered that as it says on the website, http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/GreenFlag/AboutUs/Default.aspx “The Green Flag Award® Scheme recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country. For 2010/2011, a record number of awards were made with 1200 parks and green spaces currently flying a Green Flag or Green Flag Community Award” and the inspectors come from other green spaces and parks annually to see how the parks are going.

The many conversations held over a buffet lunch in the delightful Orangery was all about how the Arboretum is looking to attract more people to the renewed Friends Group as part of the concept of turning the old Bowling Green into a Communal Allotment. the two visiting inspectors liked what they saw and certainly under managers Mike McNaughty’s watchful eye, the park is looking very nice and developing new ideas within the boundaries set by Joseph Strutt and John Loudon 170 years ago.

As most people know the Arboretum has had a chequered history. The website says “ having been opened in 1840, Derby Arboretum was the first public park of its type in the world. Donated by Joseph Strutt and designed by John Claudius Loudon (1783-1843), who was one of the earliest advocates for public parks and social reform. When Joseph Strutt, a wealthy industrialist approached him to design a park for Derby, Loudon designed the Arboretum in the picturesque style of the mid 19th century, based around sinuous paths and artificial mounds which create a sense of separation from the surrounding urban developments. In 1845, the Recreation Ground was laid out adjoining the Arboretum. In 2002 a successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund resulted in a major refurbishment of the Arboretum and Recreation Ground. Today the original layout remains largely intact and includes paths, mounds, grass lawns, shrub borders, seasonal flowerbeds and a wide variety of mature trees. Historic features include the refurbished lodges, orangery and fountain, the Florentine Boar statue and an original stone vase. To meet local needs new sports courts and a play area have been provided in the Recreation Ground and a community building including a cafe have been built.”

The Arboretum is well worth visiting to check out part of Derby’s amazing heritage, the trees and the undulating landscape, not forgetting to pop in and chat to Mick and join the Friends Group to help maintain one of Derby’s lesser known famous places.

©William Barron – Transition Derby – May 31^st 2011