Sefton Park Palm House to mark 130 year anniversary

Sefton Park's Palm House will mark two anniversares this year - 130 years since it opened and 25 years since its renovation - with a series of special events.

The glass building, which opened in 1896 when it was gifted to Liverpool as an indoor garden by Henry Yates Thompson.

It fell into disrepair but thanks to a community fundraising campaign it was renovated and restored to its former glory, reopening in 2001.

Kate Johnson, chief executive of the palm house, said the glasshouse closes each January to allow gardeners to give the plants a "really good pruning", but it would re-open this weekend with an exciting programme of events.

The palm house, which is Grade II-listed, has more than 70 species of plants from around the world, including some of the original specimens which were planted in 1896.

The collection includes 20 varieties of palms and 23 types of orchid, as well as 35 species of food plant.

Johnson said its anniversary year would see the launch of a membership scheme, to help raise money for the charitable trust which keeps it open.

"You can now root for our future by becoming a supporter with an annual membership, sponsoring a bench or planter, or by simply donating the change in your pocket when you visit, or online," she said.

"All this support, however big or small, can help us to directly protect the palm house, nurture our unique botanical collection, keep admission free, and enable our community events to continue to help people flourish."

She said weddings which are held at the palm house also help to support it.

"The weddings really help us, as in the last three years alone they brought £6m to Liverpool which is fantastic.

"We know it means a lot to people, it has been a feature of Liverpool and Sefton Park for 130 years now, it has been an iconic backdrop to the park.

"It is here for the people of Liverpool to enjoy."

This year's events include a series of talks, events with local schools and colleges, summer evening openings, and a palm house festival, which will be held from 6 September - the date it reopened in 2001 - and 5 October - the date which it first opened its doors to the public.

A new cafe has also opened inside the palm house.

Kate Martinez, head of visitors and communities at the palm house said: "We really want to put on a year of events that offers something for everyone.

"The events programme will also recognise the achievements of the Palm House over the past 25 years, including the fact that we have just become the only RHS Partner Garden in Liverpool - a status we are so proud to have achieved."

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