Liverpool Council has been accused of 'threatening the existence' of a remarkable collection of exotic plants with experts who look after them set to be moved elsewhere.
There are grave concerns about the future of the famed Roscoe Botanical Garden, located in greenhouses in the walled garden at Croxteth Hall. It has been reported that three experienced horticulturists who have looked after the rare collection for years have been told by the council that they will be redeployed to its street cleaning team from April.
The move has caused outrage amongst community groups and members of the public who fear the rare plants will now be cared for unqualified staff, despite the specialist requirements of the collection.
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The West Derby Society has called an emergency meeting later this week and urged as many people as possible to attend to show the strength of feeling about the 'remarkable' collection.
Chairman Stephen Guy said: "A resolution will be put to the meeting calling for the decision to be reversed and for the city council to support this wonderful collection instead of threatening its existence.
“The collection, mostly housed at Croxteth Hall, needs specialist attention to survive – not just watering, as has been suggested. They should be proud of this great cultural and scientific asset, not treating it like something nasty locked away in the attic.
Mr Guy also said the group intends to make a personal plea to King Charles for his support because of his well known love of botany and green issues.
“We also propose making a personal plea to the King for his support. His love of gardening, green issues and botany is well known.”
The Roscoe Collection was founded in 1802 by the famous historian, slavery abolitionist and former Liverpool MP William Roscoe. Initially located near Mount Pleasant, it was moved to Wavertree Botanic Gardens in the 1830s and later to Calderstones Park, where it remained until the greenhouses were demolished by Liverpool Council in 1986. The collection then went to south Liverpool, before being relocated to Croxteth Hall some years ago.
Earlier this year the ECHO reported on concerns for the future care of the collection amid Liverpool Council's budget plans after the council revealed its intention to move the specialist gardening team elsewhere.
At the time, Mr Guy said: "(The gardeners') skills in nurturing these vulnerable and unusual plants over many years are in danger of being lost. One of Liverpool's great collections could wither and die, leaving a great gap in the city's and UK's cultural offer. These plants need specialist care and there appears to be no plan for a sustainable future."
In a statement on twitter yesterday, Liverpool Council said: "Update on rare plant species stored at Croxteth. All changes to the storage & upkeep of the botanical collection at Croxteth Park had been agreed as part of Liverpool Council's 23/24 budget process, changes were agreed by Full Council following scrutiny and a recommendation by Cabinet.
"The rare species from the botanical collection are currently safe /are being cared for by experienced botanists. Bids for external funding to restore the Peach House at Croxteth Park are also being submitted - with a view to the collection being rehoused there in the future."
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