A Royal Garden
Hyde Abbey Garden, Winchester, created to commemorate The Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, has been officially opened by Lord Lieutenant, Mary Fagan.
The garden marks the last resting place of King Alfred, his wife, Aelswitha, and their son, Edward.
Children from the neighbouring St Bede C of E Primary School, dressed as Benedictine monks, processed from St Bartholomew's Church led by a member of the WInchester Waytes as they traced the final journey of the royal trio.
Landscape artist Kim Wilkie designed the garden in the shape of the abbey, which stood on the site before the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. The project was inspired by an archaeological dig in the 1990s and it has been supported by residents and businesses throughout Winchester.
The Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden have raised £34,000 but a further £50,000 is need to complete the garden. Benches, lighting, and wild flowers are planned and a glass engraving by artist, Tracy Sheppard, of an impression of the interior of the east end of the original abbey, will be installed. Mayor of Winchester, Jean Hammerton, said "Winchester has been a royal city for centuries, and the garden is a very apt way of linking our heritage with the present-day monarchy".
Following the opening of the garden The Winchester Waytes played suitable Mediaeval music to invited guests in the marquee set up adjacent to the North Walls Leisure Centre. Refreshments were served and visitors were able to view a display and new publications relating to the Hyde Abbey Gardens, as presented by the Winchester Museum Service. The new publication Hyde Abbey outlines the history of one of Winchester's many religious foundations. Copies may be purchased from the City Museum or Historic Resources Centre.
The garden marks the last resting place of King Alfred, his wife, Aelswitha, and their son, Edward.
Children from the neighbouring St Bede C of E Primary School, dressed as Benedictine monks, processed from St Bartholomew's Church led by a member of the WInchester Waytes as they traced the final journey of the royal trio.
Landscape artist Kim Wilkie designed the garden in the shape of the abbey, which stood on the site before the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. The project was inspired by an archaeological dig in the 1990s and it has been supported by residents and businesses throughout Winchester.
The Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden have raised £34,000 but a further £50,000 is need to complete the garden. Benches, lighting, and wild flowers are planned and a glass engraving by artist, Tracy Sheppard, of an impression of the interior of the east end of the original abbey, will be installed. Mayor of Winchester, Jean Hammerton, said "Winchester has been a royal city for centuries, and the garden is a very apt way of linking our heritage with the present-day monarchy".
Following the opening of the garden The Winchester Waytes played suitable Mediaeval music to invited guests in the marquee set up adjacent to the North Walls Leisure Centre. Refreshments were served and visitors were able to view a display and new publications relating to the Hyde Abbey Gardens, as presented by the Winchester Museum Service. The new publication Hyde Abbey outlines the history of one of Winchester's many religious foundations. Copies may be purchased from the City Museum or Historic Resources Centre.
HYDE ABBEY GARDEN, WINCHESTER
THE STORY SO FAR ...
For over four centuries HYDE ABBEY was a dominant feature of the northern approaches to the City of Winchester.
In 1110 the remains of King Alfred the Great. his Queen Ealswith and their son Edward the Elder were moved from the New Minster in solemn procession and reburied in front of the high altar in the new Abbey Church.
The main buildings of the Abbey were destroyed following the Dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. A gatehouse (picture below) and the medieval church however, which were both at one time within the Abbey complex, are still standing.
For over four centuries HYDE ABBEY was a dominant feature of the northern approaches to the City of Winchester.
In 1110 the remains of King Alfred the Great. his Queen Ealswith and their son Edward the Elder were moved from the New Minster in solemn procession and reburied in front of the high altar in the new Abbey Church.
The main buildings of the Abbey were destroyed following the Dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. A gatehouse (picture below) and the medieval church however, which were both at one time within the Abbey complex, are still standing.
Excavations in 1999 revealed the east end of Hyde Abbey Church. A local group, the Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden, have now interpreted the heritage of this site by marking the positions of the main walls, chapels and graves with a landscape design in the form of a Community Garden. This will enhance the knowledge and enjoyment of local people and the many visitors to this part of Winchester.
|
ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS
A Community Archaeology Project was undertaken by Winchester Museums Service in the summers of 1997, 1998 and 1999 with assistance from many local volunteers and some from abroad.
The east end of the large medieval Abbey Church was identified including the Lady Chapel, two side chapels and three graves in front of the high altar likely to be those of Alfred, his wife and son. These archaeological remains which are between 0.5 and 1.0m below the surface have been covered and will remain in situ. |
THE PROJECT
A public meeting was held in September 2000 and a proposal made that a garden could be a simple dignified representation of the discoveries. A formal association called Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden was launched in February 2001. The committee includes members of the general public, a representative of the Hampshire Gardens Trust, an officer and an elected member of Winchester City Council, who own the site.
A public meeting was held in September 2000 and a proposal made that a garden could be a simple dignified representation of the discoveries. A formal association called Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden was launched in February 2001. The committee includes members of the general public, a representative of the Hampshire Gardens Trust, an officer and an elected member of Winchester City Council, who own the site.
AERIAL VIEW OF THE GARDEN APRIL 2004
The design is by Kim Wilkie of Kim Wilkie Associates, one of the foremost landscape architects in this country. Although his practice is in London, his home for many years has been near Winchester.
Hampshire Gardens Trust has generously sponsored a model of the garden, which is used in presentations to interested groups and individuals.
Phase I was completed and the garden officially opened on 2 June 2003 as Winchester's Jubilee Project.
The main features of the design now in place are:-
The architectural elements of the church marked out through the use of planting and flint paving with three ledger stones marking the locations of the royal graves.
An enhancement of this hitherto neglected area of public park for local residents and visitors also providing an improved pedestrian link to the city centre.
Hampshire Gardens Trust has generously sponsored a model of the garden, which is used in presentations to interested groups and individuals.
Phase I was completed and the garden officially opened on 2 June 2003 as Winchester's Jubilee Project.
The main features of the design now in place are:-
The architectural elements of the church marked out through the use of planting and flint paving with three ledger stones marking the locations of the royal graves.
An enhancement of this hitherto neglected area of public park for local residents and visitors also providing an improved pedestrian link to the city centre.
FUNDING PROPOSALS
The cost of the project will be in the region of £100,000.
Phase I was financed in part by contributions from Winchester City Council as their Jubilee Project, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Gardens Trust. Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden also received contributions from many businesses, Trusts, private donors and their own fundraising events.
Phase II will include a glass panel engraved with a representation of the church interior, the remaining holly frames and interpretation boards, The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a grant for this phase.
For Phase III Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden are seeking funds for stone and wooden benches, lighting on the holly frames and further planting.
The cost of the project will be in the region of £100,000.
Phase I was financed in part by contributions from Winchester City Council as their Jubilee Project, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Gardens Trust. Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden also received contributions from many businesses, Trusts, private donors and their own fundraising events.
Phase II will include a glass panel engraved with a representation of the church interior, the remaining holly frames and interpretation boards, The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a grant for this phase.
For Phase III Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden are seeking funds for stone and wooden benches, lighting on the holly frames and further planting.