Welsh Historic Gardens Trust
{{short description|Conservation organisation in Wales}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Welsh Historic Gardens Trust
| image =
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| motto =
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| abbreviation = WHGT
| formation = 1989 (charitable status 1994)
| status = Charity
| purpose = To save historic gardens and parks from neglect, indifference, insensitive planning and planting, for future generations
| headquarters = Aberglasney, Carmarthenshire, Wales
| location = Wales
| revenue = £24,405 (2019/20)
| membership =
| region_served = Wales
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| main_organ = Board of trustees
| num_staff =
| num_volunteers = 45
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| website = {{url|http://whgt.wales/}}
}}
The Welsh Historic Gardens Trust is a charity and membership organisation for heritage conservation. Established in 1989, the trust exists to support the conservation of historic parks and gardens in Wales.
History and activity
The Welsh Historic Gardens Trust was established in 1989,{{cite web|url=https://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/parks-gardens-wales/parks-gardens-wales.htm|first=Ros|last=Laidlaw|title=Historic Parks and Gardens in Wales|publisher=Buildingconservation.com|date=2010|access-date=25 March 2023}} gaining charitable status in 1994.{{sfn|Reader|2010|p=10}} Its objectives are to raise awareness and appreciation of historic landscapes within Wales and to support their conservation through advice, guidance and research.{{Cite web|url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1023293/full-print|title=Welsh Historic Gardens Trust (Ymddiriedolaeth Gerddi Hanesyddol Cymru) – Charity 1023293|publisher=Charity Commission|access-date=15 December 2022}} The trust is based at Aberglasney House, a historic estate in Carmarthenshire in west Wales,{{Cite web|url=https://www.buildingconservation.com/directory/whg-trust|title=Welsh Historic Gardens Trust|publisher=Building Conservation|access-date=15 December 2022}} and is led by a board of trustees, supported by volunteers. These are organised through its nine county branches.{{Cite web|url=http://whgt.wales/?page_id=89|title=WHGT branches|publisher=Welsh Historic Gardens Trust|access-date=15 December 2022}} The trust publishes a newsletter,{{cite web|url=https://www.parksandgardens.org/reference/welsh-historic-gardens-trust-newsletter|title=WHGT newsletter|publisher=Parks & Gardens UK|access-date=15 December 2022}} and organises an annual programme of visits to important Welsh parks and gardens.{{cite web|url=http://whgt.wales/?page_id=27|title=About WHGT|publisher=Welsh Historic Gardens Trust|access-date=15 December 2022}}
The 20st century saw an increased understanding of the cultural importance of landscape. In her study, The Historic Gardens of Wales, published in 1992, Elisabeth Whittle, later president of the WHGT,{{cite web|url=https://botanicgarden.wales/people/elizabeth-whittle/|title=Elisabeth Whittle|publisher=National Botanic Garden of Wales|access-date=15 December 2022}} wrote, "historic parks and gardens are an integral part of the Welsh archaeological and architectural heritage."{{sfn|Whittle|1992|p=6}}{{efn|When Elisabeth Whittle wrote The Historic Gardens of Wales in 1992, the establishment of a register of historic parks and gardens in Wales had just begun. It was a further thirty years before the register gained statutory effect.{{sfn|Whittle|1992|p=6}}{{Cite web|url=https://cadw.gov.wales/advice-support/placemaking/legislation-guidance/registered-historic-parks-and-gardens|title=Registered historic parks and gardens|publisher=Cadw|access-date=15 December 2022}}}} The trust acts as an amenity society, and is routinely consulted by Cadw, the historic environment service for Wales, on issues relating to the recording and preservation of historic parks and gardens.{{sfn|Cadw|2017|p=4}} The importance of this work increased when Cadw was given statutory responsibility for the creation and maintenance of the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales which gained legal status in February 2022.
Footnotes
{{notes}}
References
{{reflist}}
Sources
- {{cite book
|author=Cadw
|title=Managing Change to Registered Historic Parks and Gardens in Wales
|url=https://cadw.gov.wales/sites/default/files/2019-05/20170531Managing%20Change%20to%20Registered%20Historic%20Parks%20%26%20Gardens%20in%20Wales%2026922%20EN.pdf
|location=Cardiff
|publisher=Cadw
|year=2017
}}
- {{cite book
|last=Reader|first=Jean
|title=Inquiry into the Welsh Government's Historic Environment Policy
|url=https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s9792/Consultation%20Response%20-%20CELG4%20HIS%2082%20The%20Welsh%20Historic%20Gardens%20Trust.pdf
|year=2010
|publisher=WHGT
}}
- {{Cite book
|last=Whittle
|first=Elisabeth
|title=The Historic Gardens of Wales
|year=1992
|url=https://archive.org/details/historicgardenso0000whit
|location=Cardiff
|publisher=CADW
|isbn=9780117015784
|url-access=registration
}}
Category:Organizations established in 1989
Category:Nature conservation organisations based in the United Kingdom
Category:Heritage organisations in the United Kingdom
Category:Conservation in Wales