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Latest News - February 2010
Restoration work continues on Hertsmere’s most historic and treasured sites in Bushey to restore the Rose Garden to its former glory. Read on to find out more...
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| View of Sunken Garden in January |
Despite the recent adverse weather, work continues on the garden. Work so far includes:
Summer House - the roof has been replaced with handmade tiles and work has begun on the interior including plasterwork and restoring the fireeplace.
Fountain - has been thoroughly cleaned, repaired and is in the process of being restored to a working fountain.
The Cloister - the red sandstone has been carefully dismantled, cleaned and reassembled to form a backdrop for music and theatrical performances.
Potting Shed and Toilets - contruction of the new building is in progress and once complete this one-storey building will be in a similar style to the summer house.
Lululaund Plaque - The seven foot plaque which once stood at the end of the pergola is currently being remade. The original designed by Sir Herbert von Herkomer was stolen in the 1960s.
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| Clay mould of replacement plaque |
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| New rose pillar |
Other work includes further vegetation clearance, laying new brick paving and repairing the retaining walls in the sunken garden, repairs to the boundary walls and drainage.
Planting is expected to begin in the next month. The position for the on-site gardener is being advertised and it is hoped the right person for the job will start in April.
Future work includes a new curved oak top on the pergola, new oak supports to form the Rose Temple, new railings along the High Street, new gate and railings at the Herkomer Road entrance and new seating similar to the original design by Thomas Mawson.
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| New potting shed and toilets |
The garden is now closed until late summer 2010. Further details on the official opening will be published nearer the time.
Visit our frequently asked questions page to find out more information (to be added shortly).
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| The Cloisters reassembled as a backdrop for performances |
Crispin & Borst has been appointed as the main contractor to carry out the work to restore the garden and it's listed features. Crispin & Borst was appointed by Hertsmere Borough Council following a two-stage tender process. The project team also includes council officers, lead consultants and project landscape architects - Land Use Consultants and architects - Rees Bolter Associates.
For further details click here for the press release.
Further details on the history of the garden and restoration proposals can be found at the Bushey Museum & Art Gallery, Rudolph Road, Bushey, open Thursdays to Sundays, 11am - 4pm.
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| Councillor Batten and the Friends of the Rose Garden celebrating the HLF news |
Press release - 7 May 2008
Sweet smell of success - Rose Garden to be restored
Plans to restore the Rose Garden in Bushey to its former glory has been given another boost after the Council secured further lottery funding.
Thanks to a grant of £942,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund the garden will have many of its listed features restored.
Councillor Brenda Batten, Portfolio Holder for Culture, said: "This is wonderful news and will really help us to transform and regenerate this beautiful historic garden. I am very excited about this project and believe the restoration will prove to be a major asset to the community."
In October 2006, the Council got through the first round of the application process and the results of the second round of bidding were announced this week (6 May 2008).
The Grade II listed garden is in a conservation area and contains several Grade II buildings, but has deteriorated over the years and suffered from vandalism. The money will be used to restore all listed features, including the summer house, paved areas and the pergola as well as the sunken garden.
Other proposals include an on-site gardener, toilet facilities, CCTV, new planting, establishing a team of volunteers, more events and creating an education programme so that local schools can use the garden as an outdoor classroom.
Master plan of the restoration proposals 
The Rose Garden plays an important role in the Bushey community. Sir Hubert von Herkomer, RA , an eminent Victorian artist, ran an Art School on the site from 1883-1912.
The garden replaced the art school in 1913, created for Herkomer by pre-eminent landscape designer, Thomas Mawson, who was given a portrait by the artist in lieu of payment. Mawson later went on to become the first president of the Landscape Institute and has left a legacy of parks and gardens in the UK and abroad.
The Steering Group, made up of Council Officers, Councillors, Friends of the Rose Garden and the Bushey Museum & Art Gallery, will reconvene to discuss the next steps. Future news on the project will be updated here.
If you would like further information on the Rose Garden project, please contact Fiona Leadley on Freephone 0800 731 1810 or email: fiona.leadley@hertsmere.gov.uk .