Breaking News - Kew Gardens are forced to close

Kew Gardens, who's history can be traced back as far as 1762 has been forced to close.

At an emergency meeting last night, Professor Steve Hopper was resigned to accept that the future of the world famous botanical gardens was unsustainable.

Professor Hopper told Landscape Juice that in just the last twelve months the cost of heating oil has doubled for the palm house and the trustees have insisted that staff only run the heating once every three days.

"Obviously, everyone is stunned at the decision but it seems that the decision is irreversible and the gates will remained closed today (April 1st 2008)".

It is hoped that all will not be lost. Centreparcs, the family holiday and short stay specialist, could take over the gardens and turn a good part of it into a holiday centre with the historic palm house, built in 1844, possible becoming the restaurant area.

It is also anticipated that some of the plants will be re-located to the Eden Project in Cornwall and Tim Smit, the last of the great Dutch plant hunters is believed to be travelling to Kew today with Eden Project tags to select the ones he wants re-located to his Biospheres.

I caught up with Chris Collins, the BBC Blue Peter gardener on his mobile late last night. Chris was near to tears when he learnt of the decision but said he understood how difficult it must be to weed all of the borders and edge the grass and that these things happen.

Chris said that Blue Peter will organise a bring and buy plants sale in support of world famine and hopefully, some of the more rarer plants can be found suitable homes.

April Loof, an 18 year old, who started at Kew two weeks ago on work experience, was less than impressed. "I have waited all these years to work here, it has been a life long ambition and to hear the news is gutting. Luckily, my Uncle runs a florist so I hope to be T.U.P.E'd over".

Sixty four year old Harry Stanley, who has been putting the Christmas Lights up annually since 2007 say he does not know what to do. Just one year short of being pensioned off, Harry is concerned that he is too old to be transferred to Wisley with the majority of other staff.

Obviously, emotions are still running high and I hope to follow up on this sad story later in the day.
Are you upset and the loss of Kew Gardens? - feel free to leave a comment.

Comments

[titanarum]

I am very sad to hear that the Palm House is closing down. Please let me know if there's a way to help turn this around - petition, lobbying etc. I am a blogger with garden and wildlife interests and intend to do a piece on what the Palm House means to me. www.titanarum.co.uk

[patientgardener]

Ha ha! You had me for 5 minutes

[Helen G]

Nice one.
Tee hee.

[VP]

Ho ho ho - best one I've seen all day Phil ;)

[Philip Voice]

Glad you liked it and of course none of it is true, although April Loof believed the story and has indeed been T.U.P.E'd across to her Uncle's florists shop.