Defra announced today, 19 December, that the National Fruit Collections will remain at Brogdale for the foreseeable future. The contract for their management has been awarded to the University of Reading, which will take over their maintenance and curation from April 2008.
In the press release from Defra, Lord Rooker has said ‘The long term security of the collections has always been our main priority therefore we welcome the decision for the National Fruit Collection to remain at Brogdale. Local support stressing the importance of retaining the collections at Brogdale has been continuous since the start of the tendering process and we are delighted with the final outcome and to be working alongside Reading as the new curators. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Brogdale Horticultural Trust and Imperial College for their support over the years in managing and curating the collections.’
The tremendous amount of public support there has been for keeping the Collections at Brogdale played a part: ‘Defra has received over 60 representations from members of the public, all of whom have asked that the collections remain at Brogdale. One of these letters included a petition with over 2000 signatures. Defra have also had letters from Faversham Town Council and Swale Borough Council stressing the importance of retaining the collections at Brogdale.’
Absolutely wonderful news and a victory for common sense!
see http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2007/071219a.htm
Fruit Forum
Delighted to hear that the Collections will remain at Brogdale. Well done to all those who worked so hard to achieve this splendid result.
What great news to hear that the Collections are to remain at Brogdale. I hope the Friends will make contact with Reading and seek to maintain their support of the Collections, event though it is not the Trust.
Do we know what Reading’s plans are?
What a triumph for you Joan – and for a really worthwhile cause.
Congratulations to all who worked so hard for this DEFRA decision.
John Poole RHS Fruit Group – Midlands