Prince of Wales rues loss of ‘solace’ as gardens stay shut

THE “solace, peace and inspiration” of gardens has never been more important to a nation “beset by anxiety”, the Prince of Wales has said, as the National Garden Scheme shuts its gates for the first time in its 93-year history.

The Prince, who is patron of the charity scheme to raise funds for nurses, said the link between outdoor space and health had “never been more relevant” as Britain endures the coronavirus pandemic.

Praising plans to offer digital garden tours to make up for the closures, he said: “This link between gardens and our health has never been more relevant – especially as we endure the challenges of the confined circumstances in which we find ourselves, in many cases beset with anxiety.

“During these times, the beneficial effects of gardens and green spaces have never been more apparent. The reassuring solace, peace and inspiration of a garden, whether it is your own or someone else’s, can now be found to a certain extent through digital means, thanks to this terrific scheme.”

The National Garden Scheme was expected to see 3,700 private gardens open to the public this summer to raise money for nursing charities including Marie Curie and Macmillan.

The Covid-19 crisis and lockdown conditions have meant that this year the scheme has been cancelled, with some instead recording “virtual garden visits” as the next best thing.

The Prince, who took over from his grandmother Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother as patron in 2002, said the “remarkable organisation” had a “simple but effective mission”.

In a video message from Birkhall, his home in Scotland, he said: “When the scheme started in the Twenties, all gardens charged the same admission of one shilling. Today they charge a bit more and the total raised is phenomenal – some £4million in 2019 alone.

“But now, for the first time in over 90 years, gardens are unable to open and subsequently no funds are being raised for charity.

“I must say that I can empathise with garden owners’ frustration about this because, like them, for the first time in 26 years, I, too, have been unable to open Highgrove Gardens to visitors.

“Of course, this is at a time when the nursing charities the National Garden Scheme supports are working heroically on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic, and need the financial support more than ever.”