Alan Titchmarsh visits Hyde Hall
12 March 2010
Hundreds of fans turned out to see TV host, writer and celebrity gardener, Alan Titchmarsh officially open the new Visitor Centre at RHS Garden Hyde Hall on Thursday 11 March.
Over the past 18 months, Hyde Hall has been redeveloped with a new approach road, car park, visitor centre and landscape scheme. Speaking of which, Alan Titchmarsh said: "The transformation has been amazing. I’m delighted to be opening the building and I hope you feel it is yours to enjoy."
He went on to say: "I take my hat off to Hyde Hall – the climate is not promising and the soil is foul – but you can be sure if something grows here, it will grow anywhere. The garden is really inspiring and will just get better and better, so come back and enjoy it."
The ceremony marks an exciting phase in Hyde Hall’s history and is in fact just the start of a long term master plan for the garden. There is tremendous scope for the 360-acre estate and the RHS plans to develop the garden to its full potential.
Acknowledging that gardens don’t happen overnight, Alan made the point of saying that all gardens are “work in progress” and jokingly said: "Real gardeners appreciate that it isn't always instant and I say that as someone who did make gardens in two days on Ground Force."
After official proceedings Alan helped pupils from the Collingwood Primary School in South Woodham Ferrers to plant a commemorative oak tree before joining RHS President, Giles Coode-Adams and Curator, Ian Le Gros on a leisurely stroll round the garden.
Alan has been a long term supporter of the Society, is an RHS Vice President and has been awarded the highest honour the RHS can bestow, the Victoria Medal of Honour. Other notable guests included Nigel Colborn and Lord Heseltine.