WALTON Hall & Gardens has welcomed the Royal Horticultural Society’s, Don Billington, to the estate as the new home of three National Collections of plants.
Don is a National Collection holder for the charity Plant Heritage and world-renowned Bromeliad expert. He has three collections on display in the conservatories at Walton, which were lovingly restored with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Usually exhibiting at RHS Garden Shows, Don has multiple Gold Medal awards from RHS Chelsea, Hampton Court, and other major events, including last year’s Tatton Show. The collection, now on display at Walton, is larger than those found at Kew, Wisley, and Edinburgh Botanical Gardens.
The BBC recently filmed at Walton’s conservatories and featured the RHS Chelsea Flower Show yesterday, Wednesday, where Don discussed his collection at Walton and the display he is creating at Chelsea.
Now fresh from Chelsea, Don will return to Walton next week to welcome anyone who would like to come down to discuss his collections, flowers show displays, or the work taking place in the conservatories.
The Atrium and East Wing of the conservatory range will be open for visitors to enjoy on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October, with Don on hand to answer any questions.
There are currently three National Collections on display and thriving at Walton. National Collection holders do invaluable work to protect and conserve the diversity of plants for future generations to enjoy.
Collections vary in type and size and plants may be grouped botanically, or may have a shared history or geography, and provide opportunities for plant research and conservation.
Don’s move to Walton is part of the successful partnership between the council and Myerscough College who have had a campus at Walton since 2019.
As part of this partnership, Don has moved his collections into the restored and refurbished glasshouses on the site and will work closely with Myerscough horticulture students.
Students enjoy the state-of-the-art classroom and learning environment at Walton, which was made possible due to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to fully refurbish the estate’s historic conservatory range and Shippon yard.
After spending years languishing behind boards, overgrown and isolated from the rest of the estate, the conservatories have now become the focal point of the Walton estate once again and a dedicated learning centre.
Cllr Tony Higgins, cabinet member for leisure and community, said: “The rejuvenation of the Walton Estate conservatories has been a real success story for Warrington, and a fantastic example of how effective partnership work can protect, preserve and ultimately, bring new life to our most treasured historic assets.
“It’s fantastic that Don has chosen Walton to be the new home for his collections and I look forward to seeing them on display. The move is also of huge benefit to Myerscough College’s students as they will get a unique, first-hand experience of working with these plants from a world-renowned expert.
“It is thanks to the work of the partnership and funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund that our glasshouses shine once more as an iconic centrepiece for Walton, and now as a high quality public venue for learning and development. They certainly are a historic treasure to be enjoyed for many years to come.
“I would urge everyone to come along to see the collections and our beautiful conservatories for themselves!”
For more information visit waltonhallgardens.co.uk
