Sneaky Peeky.....

Whilst the complex insurance and rebuild issues with Betley Court carry on, work in the garden continues relatively straightforwardly. We’re on the cusp of putting in the order for the visitors’ hub building. In line with the conservation officer’s recommendations, we’ve spec’d a wooden building. Our preferred option has a lovely innovative foundation system, in the form of small concrete-pad foundation feet. The beauty of this is it has a dramatically smaller impact on tree roots, not to mention using far fewer raw materials. Traditionally, a huge concrete footing was created, matching the footprint of the building. Naturally, this meant disturbing, or, worse still, removing tree roots, causing die back or tree instability. As we are trying to maintain as many mature trees as possible, and preserve those covered by ‘TPO’s’ (tree preservation orders) this ‘pad’ system is hugely beneficial, and will have a dramatically smaller environmental impact, both here in the gardens, and generally.

The relevant services are now installed. We have power, water supply and sewerage removal in place. Everything is just waiting to be connected as soon as the visitors’ hub is in place. Many thanks to our loyal tradesmen Dan (electrics) and Jeff (plumbing) for getting on with the job.

Service trench down to the visitors' hub

Our handymen, Shane and Melvyn, the two Mr O’s are smoothing over the scars left by all the installations. So far, Nigel has purchased forty tonnes of sand to back fill the trenches. Much of this is being shifted by hand, Shane and Melvyn’s to be specific, so hats off to the lads! We’ll top dress with Staffordshire pink gravel once that’s done. I say we, but let’s be honest, that will be down to our awesome handymen, won’t it!

In the meantime, here's a sneaky peek of the new hub. I’m including some images of how we think the visitors’ hub will look when plants have naturalized around it. It’s quite good for us all to envisage how it will look, and not dwell on the huge task we have of repairing the Court itself.