East Lothian Courier | News | Grounds for celebration

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 31st July, 2008 08:15

Grounds for celebration

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AN eight-year project to return North Berwick’s principal public park to its former glory officially came to an end on Saturday, when Sir Hew Hamilton-Dalrymple performed a simple ceremony to re-open the Lodge Grounds.

To mark the completion of the £1.1 million restoration scheme, Sir Hew cut a ribbon to applause of assembled dignitaries, local residents and visitors.

The Lodge Grounds had been donated by the Hamilton-Dalrymple family to the then North Berwick Town Council in 1939 and opened as a public park.

Now they are owned and maintained by East Lothian Council, who initiated the restoration work following an approach for help from North Berwick in Bloom.

The cost of the restoration work was funded by a grant of £700,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, a contribution from East Lothian Council and other partnership funding.

It has seen the 23-acre site transformed with new landscaping works, the repair and restoration of boundary walls, path resurfacing, a new aviary resplendent with colourful birds and a new play area for youngsters.

The lower garden has been restored to its original Edwardian design with the rockery brought back to life through the hard work of the North Berwick in Bloom volunteers.

Council leader, Councillor David Berry, said: “Thanks to the generosity of Sir Hew’s family, the Lodge Grounds had already become both a focal point and the recreational heart of North Berwick. But its restoration to historical accuracy, made possible by a partnership between the enthusiasm of community groups and the experience of East Lothian Council has reinvigorated it.

“Establishing a local steering group raised awareness and support throughout the town and residents from schoolchildren to retired enthusiasts all helped, whether with fundraising or potting and planting the new rockery.

“The finished work has breathed life into neglected corners and restored the charm of its historic layout to become the welcoming, green and elegant recreation space for locals and visitors that was intended in the original gift.”

Elma Danks, treasurer of North Berwick In Bloom and North Berwick Community Council, said: “It’s been a long time coming, we are delighted with the end result.

“The In Bloom committee started the ball rolling back in 2000 when it secured lottery funding to undertake a survey of public support.

“I think the revamped Lodge Grounds will generate wider interest in North Berwick.

“A lot of visitors come to see the aviary and then go to the beach, but don’t bother to further explore the park.

“Hopefully, the restoration work will encourage people to make better use of what for many years has been something of a hidden asset for the town.”

Saturday’s opening came ahead of the August 11 visit to North Berwick by the Britain in Bloom judges. North Berwick is representing Scotland in the coastal town category in the UK finals.

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