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Research
Norfolk Gardens Trust is in the process of compiling a gazetteer of all of Norfolk's gardens. This is an enormous task as a preliminary list shows that there are about 400 which could be included. The purpose of the work is to give the Trust a full overview of the county's gardens as they stand at the beginning of the 21st century. The information gathered will also assist the Trust in being able to have an informed view from a planning viewpoint, and to be able to answer queries which are often received regarding a particular site. When the work is complete the Trust intends to publish it. The book will be a major new work on Norfolk's gardens and available to all. It will cover not only the great historical sites but smaller gardens too, everything of note from the 16th to the 21st century.
One of the outcomes of the Surveys was to highlight the importance of The Walks at Kings Lynn. This is one of the earliest specially created areas for public promenading in the country. It has led to it being placed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens.
Copies of all the Trust's Surveys have been lodged with Norfolk County Council, and also with the Norfolk Studies Library, The Forum, Millenium Plain, Norwich.
English Heritage published a Survey of Gardens in Norfolk of outstanding interest. This draws on the research done by local volunteers and was collated by the Centre for East Anglian Studies at the University of East Anglia. Although the major garden sites in the county are well documented, sadly many of the smaller and less celebrated gardens have still not been researched. Norfolk Gardens Trust is committed to carrying this out, and has an ongoing programme of research.
In 1997/8 the Trust commissioned Surveys into the Town Gardens and Public Open Spaces in 19 Norfolk Towns. Attleborough, Aylsham, Cromer, Diss, Downham Market, East Dereham, Fakenham, Great Yarmouth, Hingham, Holt, Kings Lynn, New & Old Hunstanton, North Walsham, Norwich, Sheringham, Swaffham, Thetford, Watton, and Wymondham were included. There is also a separate Survey on Wymondham Cemetery. The Surveys now form an essential reference for planning applications, and in the drawing up of local plans.
The bulk of the Gazetteer has now been assembled but the text is currently being edited and checked. Completion is hoped for by the end of 2011 but no publication date is yet available.
Norfolk Gardens Trust
