A RIGHT ROYAL SUCCESS

Elford’s big idea – an initiative by volunteers to restore a derelict

walled garden long before the concept of similar community projects was a twinkle in any politician’s eye – has received Royal recognition.

That came in the form of an official opening ceremony performed by

Her Royal Highness, Sophie Countess of Wessex GCVO.

Opening the Elford Hall Garden in Staffordshire was one of a quartet of assignments the Countess performed locally and, although she did not give a formal address in unveiling a commemorative plaque, her

actions throughout the visit spoke louder than any words.

So much so, that it lasted longer than scheduled - prolonged by her willingness to talk to and engage with a host of people, many of whom had played major roles in restoring what had become a neglected and down-at-heel wilderness to rude health.

Greeted by 40-plus Union flag-waving pupils from Elford’s Howard Primary School and its head teacher Carol Ealey, Her Royal Highness was introduced to the Clerk to the Lieutenancy and Chief Executive of Staffordshire County Council, Nick Bell, Chairman of the Elford Hall Garden Project, David Watton, and the project’s patron, County Councillor Matthew Ellis.

She also met senior members of Birmingham City Council, the trustees who administered the site, had granted the volunteers a lease and given financial support; representatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the organisation that has awarded the project a grant of £248,000; the Cory Environmental Trust in Great Britain; Christopher Pincher MP; Lichfield District Council; the Elford Parish Council; and R.J.K. Construction (Midlands) Ltd, the contractors tasked with restoring the 10 foot high, 400 plus yards-long wall.

Following the formal part of her visit, informality took over as Her Royal Highness talked at length and laughed with schoolchildren, volunteers, allotment holders and Friends of the Walled Garden.

She even took time out to have a cup of tea while talking to Joan Hill, one of the village’s most senior citizens.

Then, spotting Elford villager Sue Thompson working on her allotment, the Countess made a detour to talk to her and sample one of her raspberries.

That proved to be a taster for Her Royal Highness as, following her unveiling the commemorative plaque, she was presented with a box of produce grown on the allotments by seven-year-old twins Issak and Nathan Dugas, and a posy of flowers by eight-year-old Millie Harcombe.

Thanking Her Royal Highness for her visit, Coun Matthew Ellis said: “Ma'am, thank

you so much for visiting Elford today and seeing these wonderful gardens.

“This is about a small group of local people who had an idea to restore what was a run down and derelict place into the wonderful spectacle we see today.

“It was about them overcoming

bureaucratic adversity, the challenge of raising money and gaining momentum and interest from the wider community. And they did.

“I remember standing only yards away from here with that small group among the long grass and derelict walls. But look at it now… what a transformation!

“A few years on the number of volunteers has grown massively and this place has become the centre of the village community where people come together.”

David Watton added: "The visit by HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO represented an important milestone in the regeneration of the original Hall Garden.

“It is the formal recognition of the tireless effort of all the volunteers, helpers and sponsors who, over the past two years, have turned a derelict wilderness into the productive garden we see today.”