In 1833 the Sheffield Botanical and Horticultural Society was formed to promote both healthy recreation and self education, through the development of a botanical garden. By 1834 they had raised £7,500 through shares, and had bought 18 acres of south-facing farmland from Joseph Wilson (of the snuff family, still trading today) at £200 per acre. The Gardens were finally opened to the general public on four Gala days per year in June and July 1836, when more than 12,000 people visited them. Otherwise admission was limited to shareholders and annual subscribers and general free admission only occurred after the Town Trust assumed control of the Gardens in 1898.

The Society appointed Robert Marnock, gardener of Bretton Hall, Wakefield (now the Yorkshire Sculpture Park), to design the Gardens and act as their first Curator. He started work on the lst May 1834, at a salary of œ100 per annum. He laid out the Gardens in the then highly fashionable Gardenesque style, where each plant was displayed to perfection in scattered plantings. Marnock proved one of the foremost landscape architects of the Victorian era. The Sheffield Society also held a national competition to obtain a design for the glass pavilions, with Joseph Paxton of Crystal Palace fame as one of the competition judges. The design built was by the Sheffield architect B. B. Taylor, who also designed the Clarkehouse Road grand entrance, in the Ionic style. The glasshouses are very important examples of curvilinear glass structures, and are some of the earliest ever built. Originally, the central pavilion was a tropical palm house, with the two smaller pavilions housing temperate plants. All three were once joined together by glass walkways in the "ridge and furrow" style of Paxton's glasshouse at Chatsworth. In 1844 a financial crisis resulted in the formation of a second Sheffield Botanical and Horticultural Society, which bought the land and property for £9,000. After that the Gardens thrived under the strong stewardship of two Curators - John Law and John Ewing. John Law built extensions to the east and west pavilions, and the west extension housed and flowered the giant water lily, then called Victoria regia. Law's plant lists are now collectors' items. The plantings in the great sweep of glasshouses were very popular and attracted many visitors, especially when the water lily was in flower, and the overall excellence of the Gardens was described in many horticultural magazines of the time.

Sadly, further financial trouble arose in 1898, when the Gardens were nearly lost to speculators, most of the staff were laid off and the plant collections sold. The Gardens were saved by the Town Trust, who took over their management, with a gift of œ5,000, and repaid the shareholders the nominal value of their œ5 shares. The Town Trust instituted free entry for all, which still applies today, and they are still the owners.

For half the twentieth century they managed the Gardens themselves, but on the 18th December 1951, management passed to Sheffield Corporation on a 99-year lease. The Corporation augmented the plant collections, and particularly developed the Gardens as a centre for horticultural education, notably during the Curatorship of Mr. Don Williams (1968-89). He broadcast gardening programmes on BBC Radio Sheffield, and with the staff organised popular tours and demonstrations in the Gardens; these were complemented by the shows and exhibitions of the many local specialist societies. In addition, the Botanical Supplies Unit disseminated plant information across Sheffield via the nature tables of the city's schools. Sadly, financial restrictions over the last 20 years or so have severely reduced resources, resulting in neglected Gardens and the loss of all the educational developments. The Friends of the Botanical Gardens (FOBS) were set up in 1984, to continue the promotion of gardening knowledge, and to support the Gardens. This they do by fund-raising, publicity, educational programmes and, since 1993, by undertaking practical work in the Gardens every week. The pavilions have also had considerable troubles of their own. In 1842, a giant hailstorm smashed 5,700 sq. yards of glass. The east and west pavilion extensions were demolished in 1898, and the glass walkways between the pavilions shortly after that. On the night of 12/13th December, 1942, the pavilions were badly damaged by German bombing of the city. They were restored by Sheffield Corporation in 1958. Latterly, the main pavilion housed an aviary (1961) and the east pavilion an aquarium (1963). These uses ceased in the late 80s, when the pavilions became dilapidated and were closed to the public.

The Gardens nevertheless contain a wonderful collection of listed structures, all contemporaneous with the original opening in 1836 - the pavilions (Grade II*), the Clarkehouse Road entrance, South Lodge and Bear Pit (all Grade II). The Crimea War Memorial (1858 - also Grade II listed) was moved from the Moorhead in the city centre in 1961, to its present position at the end of the great central axis of the Gardens.

The concentration of so many listed structures, and the preservation of so much of Marnock's original design has led English Heritage to list the Gardens as being of major historical and architectural importance. In 1996 a partnership between the Town Trust (owners), Sheffield City Council (managers), FOBS and the University of Sheffield made a bid to the Urban Parks Programme of the Heritage Lottery Fund, for complete restoration of the entire Gardens - buildings and plantings. The bid was wonderfully successful, and an award of just over œ5 million was announced in May 1997. However, the applicants have to raise 25% matched funding (i.e. some œ1.6 million) in order to access this enormous award. Some of the matched funding will be as work in kind, but the bulk of the fund-raising is being done by FOBS and the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust, a registered charity (No 1057845) set up by FOBS. Work on restoring and converting the main buildings is now well underway . The huge Lottery award means that the future of the Gardens is assured and this lovely and special place can and will be preserved as a national treasure for future generations.

V. D. Needham & S. M. Kohler
Friends of the Botanical Gardens

On entering retirement, many people are faced with a host of exciting opportunities with which to fill the free time created. This is the chance to do all the things that you have wanted to and a time when pipe dreams and interests can now be pursued. Companionship is also of paramount importance and what better source of companionship can folk take than man's best friend? Sharing your life with a dog may have been an impossibility in the past due to work commitments, but with time on your hands it's an ideal opportunity to experience the love and companionship that a dog can offer.

Here at the NCDL we have many older dogs of all shapes and sizes who would just love to accept your offer of a home. Whereas a younger dog could prove to be too energetic and best suited to a younger person, we have lots of older dogs that would be ideal for the more mature owner. In addition to the love and companionship they will offer, a more mature canine could prove ideal for your needs as it is likely to be house trained and already used to living with a family. As well as the companionship, there are many other benefits of giving a home to a dog. Research shows that elderly dog owners are a great deal more physically and mentally active than their non dog owning counterparts. An older dog may not need as much exercise as a younger spritely one, but a short walk every day will not only benefit the dog but the owner too.

Having a pet that is loyal and dependent and which builds a close relationship with its owner can be really therapeutic through relieving anxiety and lowering the blood pressure of that person. Furthermore, there are also the security benefits to be taken into consideration. A dog enhances peace of mind for the owner, who will know that their canine companion will most likely protect them, should any difficult or dangerous situations arise.

The social aspect of becoming a dog owner can be a huge bonus. A walk in the park can bring you into contact with countless other like-minded people. A common interest in dogs could turn a complete stranger into a new found friend. In fact, the social opportunities on offer to dog owners are virtually unlimited. Should your faithful companion's training skills need a little fine tuning there are countless dog obedience classes that you could attend and meet other people with similar interests. Furthermore, such classes often arrange excursions to dog shows around the country and who knows, you could even find yourself enjoying the excitement of entering your own dog in a competition! Owning an older dog could also enhance your family ties too. Grandchildren would be forever wanting to visit and walks in the park would no doubt give you the opportunity to spend more quality time together as a family. What's more your dog would definitely enjoy all the extra fuss and attention!

NCDL Veterinary Director Paul DeVile is a great believer in older dogs making ideal pets for the more mature members of society. "The companionship that a dog offers is invaluable, but the social, mental and physical benefits are priceless. The elderly owner gains a lot from this relationship, but it's important to remember that the dog benefits too by being rehomed into a loving, caring environment". Not only do older dogs make great companions, but they also make the perfect friend with whom to share a holiday. A mature canine makes an excellent companion and doesn't need half the exercise that is envisaged. A couple of short walks a day is quite adequate. One of the concerns that people have with regards to offering a home to an older dog is the possible cost of veterinary fees and medication. The NCDL can now help through it's fostering schemes. The charity offers two types of fostering schemes which were devised to help dog owners with the cost of keeping a dog. The first scheme is for special dogs that have a specific medical complaint. Here the charity will pay for all veterinary bills relating to an on going and identified medical condition for the rest of the dog's life. The second scheme covers elderly dogs.

Essentially the NCDL pays for all veterinary treatment required for any dog aged eight years or over. In addition the package is made even more attractive by the fact that any dog rehomed from the NCDL is automatically neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, defleaed, wormed and comes with 6 weeks free insurance with Petplan, the UK's largest pet insurance provider.

Anyone wanting more in formation on rehoming an older rescue dog should call the NCDL on 01132 613 194 or write to NCDL, Roundhay Centre, Eccup Lane, Adle, Leeds LS16 8AL.

Jamie Wall

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