Historian, writer and garden designer Sir Roy Strong CH is marking his 85th birthday by donating The Laskett Gardens to Perennial. The Laskett Gardens, which cover some four acres, have been described as the largest formal gardens to be created in England since 1945.
Perennial will receive ownership of The Laskett with effect from 1 January 2021 and has pledged to maintain it as a garden of great distinction to delight visitors in the years to come.
Commenting on the extraordinary gift, Perennial Chief Executive Peter Newman says:
“Everyone at Perennial wishes Sir Roy a very happy birthday. This year is a special anniversary; not only has Sir Roy reached the milestone of 85, but he has marked the occasion by announcing that he is donating, as a living gift, his fine home and garden so lovingly created with his late wife, Julia Trevelyan Oman. We would like to place on record our enormous gratitude and our determination to fulfil the trust placed in us by Sir Roy.”
Sir Roy Strong and his late wife, the designer Julia Trevelyan Oman purchased the house and the undeveloped four acre site in Herefordshire in 1973. Inspired by the great gardens before 1914 such as Hidcote, by those of baroque Italy and of Tudor and Stuart England, they embarked on designing and planting the incredible garden visible today. This is a garden of rooms underpinned by dramatic vistas and elements of surprise which draw the visitor through the terrain, which uniquely abounds with autobiographical and historical references.
Speaking about his decision to leave his Gardens to Perennial, Sir Roy said:
“It is no secret that the creation of the Gardens was a shared passion with my late wife and that they will remain a monument to a marriage. Now that we have opened to the public that passion is shared with the thousands of visitors each year which we welcome. I am heartened that that will continue and also that the Gardens will continue to change and develop in the future. I see it not only as a bequest to Perennial but also to the county of Herefordshire.”
The charity will continue to open the garden to visitors for periods of the year, as it does its two other open gardens, York Gate near Leeds and Fullers Mill Garden in Suffolk.
Sir Roy Strong continued:
“I have supported the work of Perennial for many years and see this partnership as a wonderful extension of my continued love of gardens and those who dedicate their time to serve them.”
The garden will continue to be open as usual from next April, if you like to make a booking to visit please contact us on 0800 093 8510.
– ENDS –
For all media enquiries, interviews, photographs and additional information, please contact:
marketing@perennial.org.uk or call 0800 093 8510 or visit perennial.org.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
ABOUT THE LASKETT GARDENS:
The Laskett Gardens are one of the largest private formal gardens to be created in England since 1945. Over almost four decades the historian, Sir Roy Strong, and his late wife, the designer Dr Julia Trevelyan Oman, transformed a four acre field into a series of stunning garden rooms, vistas, ascents and descents. These include a rose garden, pleached lime avenue, orchard, knot garden, fountains, statuary and parterres as well as the Colonnade Court and a spectacular array of topiary and rich herbaceous and prairie style borders. Uniquely, the garden tells the story of both their marriage and their creative lives in the arts.
Find out more at thelaskettgardens.co.uk
ABOUT PERENNIAL:
Perennial is the UK’s only charity looking after people in horticulture and their families at any stage of life. If you work with flowers, plants, trees or grass our friendly and experienced team are here to deliver completely free, confidential and personal support. We understand the devastating impact unexpected personal challenges and financial pressures have on lives.
Perennial’s team is available to help people access statutory services and assistance as well as offering advice and information. Everyone needs something different, the helpline is open Monday and Wednesday, 9.30am – 5pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am – 5pm, email services@perennial.org.uk to find out more.
The charity is responding to an unprecedented increase in requests for help due to the widespread effects of Coronavirus Covid-19 on the UK horticulture industry. Yet many of the events and activities the charity would usually be using to raise funds for its free advice and support services have been cancelled or postponed. An emergency fundraising appeal, HortAid-20, has been launched to bridge the funding gap and offer some fun and easy ways for people to raise money for people in horticulture this year. Call Perennial’s helpline on 0800 093 8543 or visit perennial.org.uk for more details.
