Victoria Gardens
Tewkesbury
Victoria Gardens in Tewkesbury were created in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. 125 years later, they continue to be enjoyed by townspeople and visitors alike, and serve the community as a tranquil and relaxing space to sit, relax, walk, meet friends, picnic etc, and
also hosting open air theatre productions in collaboration with The Roses Theatre, www.rosestheatre.org as well as community events such as Picnic in the Park as part of Tewkesbury's Big Weekend, with live music from Tewkesbury Town Band, Tewkesbury Pub Singers and other local groups and artistes
Friends of Victoria Gardens were formed by a group of local people to assist with the clear up operation after the devastating floods of 2007. Since then, we have taken on the maintenance, design, planning and planting of the beds, borders and planters. We are all volunteers who give our time in various ways to keep the gardens looking well maintained and attractive, and actively explore new ideas to make the most of this valued and popular community space
The old adage that many hands make light work is never truer than in a garden, and Friends of Victoria Gardens are always pleased to welcome new volunteers. There are plenty of tasks to share out, so whether you're able to spare an hour in a week, a month, or a year, there will be something you can do to help us make the most of this lovely attraction. Please contact us by any of the methods listed on the last page. Whether you can help by sparing some time, or are able to make a financial contribution, you will be helping to preserve this wonderful space for the town right now, and for future generations to enjoy, as we do
Latest news and photo gallery
We welcome community members to send us, via Facebook or email, their photographs of Victoria Gardens
through the seasons.
We will add a selection, with credit to the photographer, throughout the year
While permission has been granted for use on the website, for any further reproduction of photographs
permission should be sought from the photographer
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https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfVictoriaGardensTewkesbury
Victoria Gardens Newsletter
Spring 2025
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Hello all. This newsletter is somewhat early for Spring, being still February, however there seems to be plenty of news, so I thought I’d write now. So far this year, we have had the regular flooding, but although it has been frequent, the floods haven’t lasted too long each time. ( as I type these words, I can hear a little voice in my ear, saying ‘now you’ve jinxed it’!). This is our fifth year in managing the gardens. Whilst 5 years may seem a long time, in terms of learning about a garden, it is no time at all. Victoria Gardens in particular present a considerable challenge in working out what plants will survive. We are learning not to be too ambitious in our choices of plants and work with what we are fairly sure will grow. Robesons Walk is coming along. On the one side we have had success with some grasses and ferns. Whilst they may not be the most exciting of plants in terms of colour, they provide interest the year round. The addition of hostas works well and there are hardy geraniums that flower in summer. There remains plenty of space yet to fill but we are making good progress in a tricky spot. We have bought more roses - yes, more! These are Rosa Rugosa - which are tough plants that have single flowers that are attractive to bees in summer and have hips in winter. These roses are to replace the dead hedge that has been removed near where the wildflowers have been planted. We have made a few alterations to the area around the ‘bee bed’. The old compost heap has been removed. We were sorry to lose this but unfortunately it was full of weeds, and the contents never rotted down well getting too wet in winter. We now have a more ‘natural’ compost area near the river. Mill St entrance is being improved. The old roses have come out. The shape of the flower bed will be altered slightly and new plants have been purchased. We are commissioning a sculpture- exciting! This will be situated in the flower bed and provide a central point of interest. No date as yet when this will be installed… 2025 has brought increases in all our overheads. The bank now insists we have a business account and hence pay monthly charges. The public liability insurance has gone up as has the website costs. So, we decided to try getting some sponsorship for the planters and raise some extra funds this way. We are asking £50 per planter, and in return the business or individual will get a sign stating they have sponsored the display. The first 4 planters were sponsored the same evening as we put it out on FB. Should anyone know of a small business who would like to get involved- just get in touch.
​Jan Worrad, Chair, Friends of Victoria Gardens
Latest News
We've been promising changes to this particular part of Victoria Gardens for quite a while, and we're really excited that today our vision became a reality and we can share this with you.
We wanted to refresh this entrance to make it more welcoming, and also take the opportunity of introducing a new element to add interest and appeal.
We're thrilled with the results and think the sculptor who worked with us, Stephen McRae, really understood what was needed. He has produced this amazing piece which already looks right at home as though it's been in place for years. It reflects the surrounding riverside setting, and the reality that this spot is frequently under water! The sculpture, made of galvanised steel, depicts water weeds with their underwater fronds rising from the riverbed and gently waving around in the current while fish dart amongst them, which feels appropriate for the setting.
The planting still needs some additions, but we're keeping it simple to showcase this beautiful artwork.
Stephen is based in Ledbury. You can see more of his work at:
IN THE CURRENT
Sculpture by Stephen McRae
Forged galvanised and acid etched steel and
23.5 carat gold leaf, set in local sandstone
Victoria Gardens offers us a place of shelter and peace within the hustle and bustle of modern-day life, a place to meet with family and friends or to be alone with nature. This was the principal inspiration for the sculpture coupled with its riverside location.
‘In the current’ exploits the word current with its various meanings and hints at a personal experience.
The body of the sculpture is made from Mild steel that has been galvanised. This zinc coating was then acid etched, and 23.5 carat gold leaf applied. While the bright and precious gold is a constant, the oxides of the galvanised steel will change and mellow, subject to their environment.
The sculpture is a snapshot in time. The reeds dancing in the current and the fish sheltering or playing are all connected to the central support that is the stone below. It is therefore about capturing your current moment and encouraging you to be in the present.
In this present moment, question the interaction between the shadows of fish, the frond-like structures and the solid stone. Can you find your current experience entwined or reflected in the piece?
Through the year
The seasons all bring their own beauty to Victoria Gardens, from stark winter outlines to glorious displays of roses, and from the optimism of spring bulbs to autumnal hues as you look across the Rivers Avon and Severn towards the magnificent Malvern Hills.
They are a popular spot for photographers with the changing seasons, colourful flower displays, wonderful riverside setting - and of course, the dramatic images when those rivers are in flood.
The planting is varied, with both formal and informal areas, and the gardens lend themselves to both, with shady walkways and open spaces. Benches and picnic tables are in place for the public to enjoy, with adjoining seasonal display planters.
History
Prior to 1897, the area where Victoria Gardens are sited was little more than the site of a rough track known as Pound Wall Roadway. Used as a road since medieval times, but often muddy and impassable due to the frequency of flooding, it had been replaced as a main thoroughfare by the current route, Gloucester Road.
With Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in mind, early in 1897 a public meeting resolved to transform this neglected piece of ground into a small public pleasure ground as a permanent memorial to commemorate the Jubilee.
In the weeks preceding the day of celebrations, the ground was transformed, as noted in the Tewkesbury Register June 19th 1897:
"We have already (a fortnight since) referred to the admirable way in which Mr Gray (Borough Surveyor) has been drawing order out of chaos at the back of the Bowling Green, and adapting the old Pound Wall slip and roadway to the purposes of a pleasure ground. Great strides towards its completion have been made during the past week - rustic arbours built, rustic palisades and gates erected, lawn flower beds formed, the stone terrace steps perfected and the uppermost square blocks of composite stone by the entrance inscribed with the names of Mr J. B. Lewis and Mr T. W. Moore, the mayors of the year of Her Majesty's accession and the present year - all after the most tasteful and effective style. The beautiful little spot will be opened by the Mayoress (Mrs Moore) soon after noon on Tuesday (June 22nd 1897) and the scene should be one of the happiest of the whole day's doings."
Click the arrows to scroll left or right
The gardens soon proved to be a popular attraction, and major celebrations, illuminated with Chinese lanterns and including a torch procession, were again held in the gardens for the coronation of EdwardVII in 1902. A bandstand was installed by Walkers of Tewkesbury in 1905, followed by two cannons, one German, and one Russian. All were eventually destined to be scrapped for the war effort in the 1940's.
The gardens were subject to further alterations and enlargement during the course of the twentieth century, and three decorative iron archways were commissioned from Tewkesbury based artist David Ball to be placed at each of the three entrances to the gardens, in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
New wildflower area
The volunteers have been working hard to create a new wildflower trial area. The turf has been lifted, and a mix of wildflower plugs, bulbs and seed has been planted.
The mix includes wild narcissi, crocus and fritillaries, Devil's Bit Scabious, Ragged Robin, Meadowsweet, Ox Eye Daisy and Birds Foot Trefoil amongst others.
We're looking forward to seeing the results from spring onwards, and hope that both wildlife and visitors will enjoy this new area.
Following the wettest winter on record, and multiple flood events, many of the wildflower plants are showing just how resilient they are.
July 2024, and the wildflower area is thriving. Given the challenges it has faced since it was created in Autumn 2023, it is a lesson in not giving up!
Photo taken by PH, a Tewkesbury town resident
Floods 2024
Early January, and the winter of 23-24 is already bringing challenges with saturated ground and torrential rain causing multiple flood events in a short space of time.
This has obviously caused much disruption, and unfortunately, residents are left dealing with the aftermath.
In the gardens, while not on the same scale as personal losses, we are preparing for a clean-up operation when the water subsides, and an evaluation of what we have lost. Very few plants can cope with such saturated conditions, sitting for days, sometimes weeks under several feet of water. They are starved of oxygen to the roots, and we are expecting to have lost many plants, both established, and those we planted over the past year.
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The clean up will begin with clearing the paths of the mud and debris left behind, before we examine the beds more closely. Work we've carried out over the past year has included a lot of new planting to rejuvenate the borders along Robesons Walk, and our trial wildflower area in the main part of the gardens, as well is improving the planting in the bed adjacent to Gloucester Road car park. Sadly, most of this effort, not to mention the costs involved, will now count for nothing. The gardens can withstand the rigours of most winters with just a few casualties, but the impact this time of deep, long-lasting and repeated flooding will be devastating. However, gardeners are nothing if not optimistic, and we may yet be surprised at what does survive. Only time will tell, but when the water has gone, and the paths are clear, and the first signs of new growth emerge, if you're walking through the gardens and happen to see some of our volunteers hard at work, do stop and say hi - we're a friendly bunch, and appreciate a little encouragement - perhaps now more than ever!
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Addendum: Mid-April 2024, and we had been flooded ten times over seven consecutive months in the wettest winter period on record. This has made it a particularly challenging start to the gardening year and we have lost plants, mostly ones planted most recently so less established, but nature is remarkably resilient and many plants hidden under several feet of muddy water for days and weeks at a time are re-emerging to put on a show for yet another year, in spite of everything!
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The murky reality - when not enhanced by a beautiful sunset this photo shows how grey and dismal the floods are!
Floods
Tewkesbury has long been associated with seasonal flooding, unsurprisingly as a town at the confluence of two rivers. What can serve as a means of transport, industry and prosperity can also bring devastation, destruction and a threat to life. In 2007, Tewkesbury suffered greatly in the summer flooding, with lives lost, businesses under water, and many residents forced out of their homes for months as homes were dried out and repaired.
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It was after the floods of July 2007 that the Friends of Victoria Gardens group was formed to clear up the devastation of a summer garden submerged under several feet of river water. Since then, they have not only repaired and revitalised the gardens, but have taken them forward with new planting schemes and more community use, while maintaining the gardens through flood and drought.
Sited on the banks of Tewkesbury's second river, the Avon, and just across Tewkesbury Ham from the mighty River Severn, it is inevitable that Victoria Gardens are prone to regular and significant floods. This brings challenges that test the dedication of the most willing of volunteers, with regular river mud clean ups before planting and maintenance can even be considered.
Guest photographs
This brilliant photograph of a tree full of character is just one of a collection of photographs sent in by CCP Photography Group, who recently visited the gardens to add to their portfolio. See more of their pictures below.
Their photographs have managed to capture just a few ways in which people enjoy the gardens. For photographers, there is always an opportunity to get creative with the variety of foliage and flowers to be found around the gardens, the open views across the Severn Ham, the picturesque Abbey Mill and adjoining weir.
Dogs enjoy taking their owners on the scenic route through the gardens, where there are plenty of places to sit and admire the view, and the chances are you'll meet another four-legged friend to pass the time of day with.
The photographers also managed to capture the colourful artwork created by local primary schools and currently adorning the boarding, recently erected as a safety measure while some necessary work is carried out.
CCP photography group meet at various venues in Tewkesbury, monthly on the third Thursday, 10.00am - 12.00pm, and is for all abilities.
Contact James Baker: james.baker@ccp.org.uk
07593 446894
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Guest photographs
Photo by Jay Banbrooke
Photo by Helen Howard
Picnic in the Park 2023
Photo by Jane Griffiths
A selection of photos from frequent visitor Richard
Two beautiful photos showing a different angle of the gardens by 'Write From Ron'
The annual Medieval Festival (the largest of it's kind in Europe) is always a spectacular weekend in Tewkesbury's calendar, with visitors from far and wide filling the town with a reminder of our colourful history. A red and white bi-coloured rose commemorates both the Houses of York and Lancaster, who fought one of the defining battles of the Wars of the Roses in Tewkesbury in 1471. This couple are enjoying a more peaceful visit in 2024!
