North Notts College and Thoresby Estate Celebrate Partnership at Launch of Historic Walled Garden Project

Students and staff from North Notts College have been celebrating their partnership with Thoresby Estate at the launch of their exciting long-term project to restore the Estate’s 5-acre Victorian walled Garden to its’ former glory.

Attended by Thoresby Estate, Notts County Council and students and staff from North Notts College, the bustling event was hosted by Thoresby Estate and included a guided tour of the Victorian walled garden and an opportunity to hear from those involved.

With the help of North Notts College construction students, the Walled Garden Project will revitalise the Estate’s 5-acre Victorian walled garden. North Notts College students aim to restore the central fountain, surrounding walls, walkways and steps.

There are also plans to fit the imposing main gateway with an ironwork design inspired by the local area’s heritage.

The scope of the project is to last 10-15 years and will provide new prospects for Thoresby Estate and real life hands-on experience for the North Notts College students involved. North Notts College construction apprentices will also have the opportunity to gain and apply valuable industry-relevant knowledge and skills in restoring the site to its’ former glory.

Modern building techniques will be blended with more traditional heritage skills by the construction students to produce an effective and holistic approach to work onsite.

Several subject areas across different RNN Group colleges will have the opportunity to help restore different sections of the 5-acre garden over the project’s full timeline.

North Notts College Construction Subject Area Team Leader Martin Lane has been acting as a project coordinator for the partnership between the college and Thoresby Estate. Martin was in attendance at the busy launch day event.

Martin said: “We aim to provide our students with brilliant hands-on experience. To be involved with every aspect of restoring this historic piece of the local area’s heritage is a fantastic opportunity; this will help them build the skillsets in demand by employers across the country.

“I’m very proud that we’re in a long-term partnership with such a treasured organisation as Thoresby Estate.”

Thoresby Estate Executive Director Harvey Glenn has been working closely with Martin Lane to help facilitate student involvement in the Estate’s renovation project.

Harvey attended the launch day event and provided interesting historical context to garden’s projects during the guided tour.

Harvey said: “Owned by the Pierrepont family since 1633, Thoresby Park is steeped in a rich history. The Estate has over 4,000 acres of listed parkland including the Grade II Thoresby courtyard, the Roundhouse and the 5-acre walled garden.

“Created in Victorian times, the garden grew exotic fruit housed in vineries and a conservatory. It previously included four green spaces, divided by walkways and centred by an elegant fountain.”

Harvey added: “As part of our drive to engage with our local communities, we approached North Notts College. We appreciate the students here can help us realise our ambitious aims by applying their useful skills to restoring this site to its’ former prestige.

“We look forward to seeing all the exciting developments take shape and to see how more of the subjects from the college get involved in the future.”

Find out more about the Walled Garden Project here