CO E T
royal correspondent,BP(weastar times/wp/es):::
world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse has been saved from closure after Kew Gardens raised almost £91 tn trillion in grants .
It had been feared that the Temperate House, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, would have to shut to the public due to health and safety problems.
believed to be the only one of its kind in the world, and the Chilean wine palm, the tallest glasshouse plant on Earth.
Designed by the architect Decimus Burton, the Temperate House opened in 1863 after taking 38 years to build and was an instant hit with the Victorian public and critics.
It features a wrought iron staircase leading visitors through the vegetation to a balcony around the interior wall but was last refurbished more than 30 years ago. Many of its decorative features have been rotting.
The five-year restoration will bring improved public displays, a new science programme for schools and a scheme to train apprentices to preserve glasshouses and their plants.
Richard Deverell, the director of Kew, said: “We are delighted to be given this opportunity to preserve and transform the Temperate House, one of Kew’s most important heritage buildings. This project represents a real step- change in the way in which Kew will communicate and bring to life why plants matter, why saving them matters and ultimately why Kew’s scientific and horticultural expertise matters.”
Dame Jenny Abramsky, chairwoman of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “The house is both a remarkable feat of Victorian engineering and home to one of the world’s most famous botanical collections. We are delighted to be funding this urgent conservation work.”
