The regeneration of the Coronation Garden in Penrith is an exhibition of the Penrith Rotary Club's plans for revitalising the historic garden. It includes artwork created by community groups and schools and is inspired by Penrith's heritage.
Exhibition runs from Saturday 9 July 2011 until Monday 15 August, 2011.
To celebrate the centenary of Rotary International, Penrith Rotary Club is promoting the regeneration of the Coronation Garden, in Portland Place, Penrith, which was created as a community garden to celebrate the coronation of George V1 in 1937. The garden has become neglected, uninviting and under used by the public.
Penrith rotary's project to regenerate coronation garden, penrith has been awarded £20,900 lottery development grant.
It is our aim to regenerate the garden by conserving and restoring some of the original features. Also enhancing the garden value as an important civic amenity by extending its significance by providing a microcosm of much of Penrith's rich heritage, in one easy accessible location, and all embraced within a sensory garden setting. The garden will be designed to allow access and enjoyment for all, including those with disabilities.
Heritage is important to people as it gives a 'cultural' value that helps to define a sense of place and provides a context for everyday life. It also has an educational value providing a major source of information about one's ancestors and the evolution of their society. Heritage can also make a significant contribution to economic development by encouraging tourism, and also by creating a pleasant environment where people prefer to live and work.
In fostering this philosophy we wish to retain the garden's historical origin but extend its features to provide a 'time line' display featuring the development of Penrith from prehistoric times, Roman occupation, Scottish and other cultural influences, and its development to modern times.
The commemorative slate will be refurbished, and the layout of the paths will continue to reflect the St Andrew's Cross reflecting that Penrith's heritage was closely linked to Scotland having been ruled by Scottish kings on many occasions until the union of the Crowns in 1603.
At the four points of the Cross interactive artwork will be introduced. Each sculpture will celebrate different aspects of Penrith's heritage - Penrith Castle; Penrith Beacon; the ancient Seal of Penrith; and the town's market heritage, and be evoked in visual/tactile media.
In order to enhance ownership and stimulate their learning experience local schools/youth organisations, and a senior citizen group, some 600 plus people, have worked with Karen MacDougall, our consultant artist/designer, to design these sculptures and eight historical banners for display on flagpoles within the garden. Other text and graphic interpretation panels will illustrate more aspects of heritage such as Brougham Castle; the Wordsworth connections; the Border Reivers; the battle of Clifton Moor in 1745 and one to highlight Rotary's achievements during its century of service.
From the outset, Penrith Rotary Club has sought to engage others in the garden's design. Landscape design students from the Newton Rigg campus produced the general design concept. Our proposals have been subject to public display over two days and some 220 persons individually gave written support. Some 24 local organisations have been consulted and are very supportive. The proposals have also been promoted through the Herald and we have received assistance from Penrith Museum,the Civic Society, and local historical groups.
Using the £20,900 Heritage Lottery grant we hope to develop our proposals and submit a second round application by September 2011. If successful we will be awarded a grant of some £160,000 plus to put our proposals into effect which we would hope to achieve during 2012.
Museum Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10am - 4pm.
The museum's opening hours are the same as Penrith Tourist Information Centre.
Loan, donate or bequeath to Penrith and Eden Museum
Should you wish to loan, donate or bequeath any objects to the Museum the curators will only be to happy to receive them.
Museum Curators
Penrith and Eden Museum curators are available to answer questions on current and future exhibitions as well as any other questions concerning the museum and its collections:
- Contact: Dr Sydney T Chapman or Mrs Judith Clarke, MA AMA, Joint Curators,
- Address: Penrith Museum, Robinson School, Penrith CA11 7PT
- Telephone: 01768 865105
- Email: museum@eden.gov.uk
