Celebrating the Launch of ‘Friends of Haddington Garden’
The Sunken Garden looking across Haddington Garden towards St Mary’s Church.
Welcoming our Generous Garden Visitors
More than fifty guests launched the ‘Friends of Haddington Garden’ for the seventeenth century St Mary's Pleasance Garden in the heart of medieval Haddington. The visitors were welcomed by the garden’s patron, Michael Williams, and Chair of the charitable Trust, Karen Stevenson.
The convivial celebration with garden tour was attended by Haddington Garden Volunteers and Trustees, donors for the garden wall restoration, visitors from Blooming Haddington, Amisfield Walled Garden and local businesses, as well as the Lord Provost, John McMillan, the Lord Lieutenant, Roderick Urquhart, and the Duke of Hamilton whose family rescued and donated St Mary’s Pleasance Garden in 1972.
The Garden Manager, Jenny Bell Harman, on her informative walk round the garden, in the rain.
The Garden Manager, Jenny Bell Harman, gave a fascinating tour of the garden which covered the sunken garden and mound, topiary and rose borders, cottage garden, the collection of fig, medlar, plum, apple, hazel, quince and cherry trees, and meadows rewilded for biodiversity. The tour finished with a walk down the garden's striking, mature Laburnum Allee and Hornbeam Walk.
Karen Stevenson, chair of Haddington Garden Trust SCIO, a registered charity, said: “Our new Friends of Haddington Garden scheme provides essential annual income to help maintain one of Haddington’s treasures.
“Please give a little so you can help us continue to welcome over 10,000 people each year to appreciate the beauty and peace of this tranquil sanctuary. You’ll be joining the growing number of Friends, Best Friends and Fans of Haddington Garden - we’re extremely grateful for all the donations we’ve already received!”
The Cottage Garden showing its late summer colour.
By making a small contribution to become a Friend of St Mary’s Pleasance Garden, you can play a vital role in preserving this popular, community garden, steeped in horticultural history.
Friends enjoy seasonal updates, invitations to the annual Friends’ Drinks Party and exclusive garden tours.
All donations from Friends, Best Friends and Fans are really appreciated by the Trustees. You can learn more and donate here or via the buttons above.