RENEW
The Radnorshire Enterprise For Nature, Education And Wellbeing
  
RENEW is a constituted, not-for-profit association formed with the objective of advancing the understanding and practice of sustainable living, healthy eating, environmental awareness and personal development.
The association is based in Mid Wales at a one and a half acre Victorian walled garden near Newbridge-on-Wye, Powys. We are currently engaged in restoring and developing the garden as a resource and education centre for adults and children. We run Courses and workshops in the garden and in the surrounding landscape on organic horticulture, garden design, sustainable living, forest schools, wild habitats, edible wild plants & environmental studies. Day visits and camping in the garden can also be arranged for groups and organisations who would like to explore the area.
Future plans for the garden include the installation of solar powered showers and composting toilets. Hydro electric generation from a near-by stream is also planned to power the site. On site accomondation is initially in Yurts and rustic timber cabins are planned for later this year.
Courses and workshops in the garden go on throughout spring, summer and autumn and a full programme of these is available on request. Click here
If you would like further information on RENEW and its activities please click here
or you can contact David Burridge (Chair of RENEW) on 01597 860186 |
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Brief History of the RENEW Walled Garden
The walled garden was built between 1870 and 1880 and is part of the Doldowlod estate once owned by James Watt, one of the leading lights in the development of the steam engine during the industrial revolution.
The walled garden had been disused for nearly thirty years until RENEW took it over at the beginning of 2005. Much work has now been done in reclaiming the garden and it is now a productive place once again, growing fruit and vegetables for visitors and local people. One of the first discoveries uncovered during the renovation was 27 lead labels marking the original fruit tree planting. These labels are still in situ in their existing places on the garden walls. The trees no longer exist, but as a record of what was grown there, the labels are of great historic significance.
The estate is set in the beautiful countryside of the Wye valley and is rich in wildlife and ancient trees, the river itself being an SSSI. This is also good walking country of open hills and moorland.
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