Frodsham Memories: A Victorian conservatory in Castle Park has been refurbished after spending years boarded up and fire damaged

By Chester Chronicle on Oct 26, 09 09:11 AM in 1800-1899

AN ORNATE Victorian conservatory in Castle Park has been refurbished following an arson attack in the first phase of a £3.2m restoration of the site.

The project, which includes work on the historic gardens and new features in the park, was made possible by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Parks for People and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Cllr Richard Short said: "This ambitious scheme will be enjoyed by generations of people and visitors and is on track to be finished in spring next year.

"Work is progressing on the renovation of the Edward Kemp designed formal and American gardens and apart from the restoration of the old, we know that new features such as the two new tennis courts and a multi-use games area will also be very popular."

The conservatory will remain closed at present while works to improve the formal gardens around the building are completed.

Originally the proposals were to restore the building to a simple structure however a community consultation meeting was held, at which Frodsham and District History Society presented photographs of the ornate original. The decision was then made to aim for the more decorative original design

Restoration experts repaired the fire-damaged timbers, the original ventilation mechanism, tiled floor and reproduced the cast iron finials that decorated the roof.
Chairman of Castle Park Trust Les Ford said: "We are proud of the high standard of restoration of the conservatory and I hope it will be a valuable building for the local community.

"The conservatory will be used as an information centre, community meeting space, for events, exhibitions and also as part of the weddings package at Castle Park. Its beauty will make it extremely popular."

Plans for the whole project also include improvements to pathways and watercourses throughout the park, a new pavilion with café, new natural play area and woodland management and landscaping of the old play area.

The picture shows Sandy Roy from the Heritage Lottery Fund with Cllr Richard Short with members of Frodsham and District History Society.