Friends of castle gardens lose hardy perennial as chairman

But some people saw the potential beneath the mess of rhododendrons and formed a group to help promote the landscape and sell it as an attraction to tourists.

Friends of Wentworth Castle Gardens chairman Mike Mallinson has worked and watched as the gardens have been restored over the last 20 years, but has now announced he will be stepping down.

The first meeting of the Friends group was held on February 20, 1991, and since then the committee has met hundreds of times to discuss projects.

Mr Mallinson, 70, said he was proud of what had been achieved over the last two decades and paid tribute to other long-serving members, including Derek Rogers, who was head gardener in 1991.

He added: “When I was approached to become chairman I agreed to start things off, but said that somebody could take over in a few months.

“Since then we have grown to 200 members and have speakers every month.

“Since 1991 the gardens have been totally transformed, but my big hope for the future is that we can get the conservatory restored and back into use.”