Golden garden gets ready for new home

Caption: Both The HESCO Garden (above) from 2009 and the gold-medal winning HESCO Garden 2010 (top) will soon be on public display in Roundhay Park

The garden which won a historic first-ever gold medal for the city of Leeds at the Chelsea Flower Show is to be permanently installed in Roundhay Park.

Leeds City Council have announced work will shortly begin on placing The HESCO Garden 2010 and its predecessor The HESCO Garden from 2009 in the ‘Gardens of the World’ section of Roundhay Park.

The gardens are expected to be both in position for the public to visit for free from mid-May, alongside Leeds City Council’s 2008 Chelsea garden ‘The Largest Room in the House’ which is already part of the ‘Gardens of the World’ located off Mansion Lane.

Produced by the council’s parks and countryside service supported and sponsored by Leeds-based world-leading manufacturers of products used in civil engineering HESCO Bastion Limited, both gardens proved big hits at the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show.

The HESCO Garden from 2009, designed around the theme of retaining rainwater and reducing the effect of flash floods, matched Leeds City Council’s best-ever result at Chelsea by winning a Silver Gilt Flora award.

This was improved on 12 months later as the team made history three times over with the stunning HESCO Garden 2010, which drew gasps of admiration from all who saw its amazing 12-feet high central lock gates and mock canal.

The garden not only earned the team a first-ever gold medal at Chelsea, the success also represented the first time in the history of the prestigious event which dates back to 1862 that a local authority had won gold in the elite large outdoor show garden category, while the central lock gates were another first for Chelsea.

The installation of the gardens will be tinged with sadness however following the tragic death of HESCO Bastion owner Jimi Heselden OBE late last year.

Leeds City Council executive member for Leisure Councillor Adam Ogilvie said:

“We are thrilled these gardens will soon be in their permanent home at Roundhay Park for everyone to be able to see. The gold-medal winning garden from 2010 is sure to prove a massive hit – everyone who saw it at Chelsea was mesmerised by it and it really did steal the show. It is a phenomenal piece of engineering and design and we are so pleased everyone in Leeds will now get the chance to see it for themselves.

“We also have a feeling of sadness however as the city and everyone in the team continues to come to terms with the tragic loss of Jimi Heselden. We hope that showing off the gardens he helped create will help provide a lasting legacy to his memory as thousands of people will get to enjoy them for years to come.”

HESCO Bastion Limited said:

“Jimi worked closely with Leeds City Council on the design, development and funding for the award-winning 2009 and 2010 RHS Chelsea Flower show garden entries. The ‘Gardens of the World’ which showcase the previous HESCO Garden winners will be a wonderful and fitting tribute to him.”

To find out the full history-making story of The HESCO Garden 2010, visit www.leedsatchelsea.com

Notes to editors:

The ‘Gardens of the World’ section of Roundhay Park off Mansion Lane currently contains three unique garden areas. The initial walkway features The Monet Garden which is based on the gardens planted by the impressionist at Giverny in France providing an elegant burst of colour and energy.

Adjoining this is the Alhambra Garden, which is based on one of the world’s most famous gardens, the 13th century garden at Alhambra, Spain. The garden echoes the Patio de la Acequia, Patio de la Sultana and Mirador of Partal Gardens including fountains and formal hedged gardens.

These were joined in 2009 by ‘The Largest Room in the House’, Leeds City Council’s entry at the 2008 Chelsea Flower Show which won a Silver Gilt Flora award. The garden commorated the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War and is a recreation of the grounds of Talbot House in Poperinghe, Belgium which served as a rest house for UK troops heading to and from the horrors of the frontline trenches nearby.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Roger Boyde, Leisure media relations officer,
Tel 0113 247 5472, Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk

Funding set to be approved for 11 primary school expansions

The expansion of 11 primary schools to meet the increasing demand for places across Leeds is set to be signed off this week.

Leeds City Council’s executive board will meet on Wednesday (9 March) to discuss the expansions which will provide an additional 370 primary places from September this year.

The new classroom, toilet, library and office facilities will be provided in high quality buildings, the same used in the primary school extensions carried out in September 2010. The modern modular buildings, which are sustainable and have a lifespan of up to 50 years, have been a success at the other primary schools and minimise disruption to the schools as they are built off-site.

The additional places and details which will be discussed by the executive board are:
*Brudenell Primary School: There will be some remodelling to the existing building and two new classrooms. Cost: £331,000.

*Ingram Road Primary School: The admissions limit increased from 30 to 45 in September 2010. An extension will provide three additional classrooms and new toilets. Cost: £563,000.

*Ireland Wood Primary School: The admissions limit was increased from 30 to 60 in September 2010. An extension will provide six additional classrooms, a speech and therapy room and toilets. Cost: £1, 362,000.

*Whitkirk Primary School: The admissions limit increased from 45 to 60 in September 2010. Some remodelling of the existing building. Cost: £63,000.

Blackgates Primary School: The admissions limit is due to increase from 45 to 60 in September 2011. Two additional classrooms, a library resource area and toilets will be needed as well as remodelling of the existing building. Cost: £548,000.

Farsley Farfield Primary School: The admissions limit is due to increase from 50 to 60 in September 2011. An extension including one classroom and toilets for Key Stage 1 will be needed. Cost: £390,000.

Featherbank Infant School: The overall capacity of the school is due to increase from 180 to 210 in September 2011 to accommodate a change from a two form entry infant school to a one form entry primary school. Remodelling the existing building and an extension including a classroom, staffroom and office. Cost: £390,000.

Horsforth Newlaithes Junior School: The overall capacity is due to increase from 240 to 420 in September 2011 to accommodate a change from a two form entry junior school to a two form entry primary school. An extension including six classrooms and new toilets as well as remodelling of the existing building. Cost: £1,356,000.

Ryecroft Primary School: The admissions limit is due to increase from 30 to 60 in September 2011. Some remodelling to the existing building is needed. Cost: £63,000.

St Bartholomew’s C of E Voluntary Controlled Primary School: The admissions limit is due to increase from 60 to 75 in September 2011, requiring some remodelling to the existing building. Cost: £41,000.

Valley View Community Primary School: The admissions limit is due to increase from 30 to 60 in September 2011. Remodelling of the existing building and a new heating system will be required. Cost: £249,000.

Councillor Jane Dowson, executive board member for learning at Leeds City Council, said:“The council has a responsibility to offer education to every child in the city and we have to act to ensure there are local places to meet local needs.

“There are surplus places available across the city but they are often not where the demand is and are in older age groups. We are committed to providing the best possible education for all children and young people and will continue to work closely with these 11 schools regarding these expansions.”

Nigel Richardson, director of children’s services, said:“We have seen an increased demand for primary school places in recent years and these expansions are necessary to ensure there are enough places for every child who needs one. The additional classrooms and facilities will be in high quality buildings, designed to last at least 50 years, and will be permanent classrooms. We will handle the expansions very carefully and everything possible will be done to minimise any disruption at the schools.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:
*The original schemes, outlined for expansion in September 2010, could not progress due to either of the following reasons: planning, affordability, site constraints, access or not being able to manage the planned additional numbers throughout the year.