View of Arboretum Waverley Street, 1852. Note cows in foreground and lake near the entrance gate
Courtesy of Nottingham City Council and www.picturethepast.org.uk
The Nottingham Arboretum was officially opened on 11 May 1852 amidst great ceremony and celebration. It was acclaimed for its size and for the many viewpoints across the Arboretum and the rest of the town. Also noted were the extensive refreshment rooms (destroyed by fire in 2006), the lake stocked with Muscovy ducks and waterfowl, the Tudor-style lodges, Gothic iron palisading and of course the trees which were the focus of the grounds.
The anniversary of this opening is celebrated every year by the Friends of Nottingham Arboretum. This year it falls on Wednesday 18th May and will be marked by a talk by Professor Paul Elliott from the University of Derby on ‘Trees in Victorian Nottingham, c.1840-1880.
Wing Nut in Nottingham Arboretum
Image: Paul Elliott
Professor Elliott’s latest book British Urban Trees: a Social and Cultural History c.1800-1914 was published earlier this year. It is the first major study of British urban arboriculture and draws upon fresh approaches in geographical, urban and environmental history.
This talk will be followed by a short presentation about the Green Spaces project, particularly the forthcoming programme of events.
All are welcome: The Bandstand in the Arboretum. 7-8.30pm; 18 May 2016
