Sculptors make their mark at award-winning Himalayan garden

Situated deep in beautiful countryside, the garden is gaining a national reputation for its collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. Last year, it attracted some 10,000 visitors.

The Himalayan Garden claims to have the UK's largest collection of species rhododendrons with plants from the Himalayas and surrounding countries including India, Bhutan, Tibet, China, Vietnam, Nepal, Chile and Japan.

It is home to 1,000 different varieties of species and hybrid rhododendrons as well as 250 azalea varieties and 170 different magnolias.

The sculptures are by some 50 well-known and aspiring sculptors from the UK, Europe and the US.

The exhibits will be placed around the gardens and lakes as well as in a covered exhibition space.

Visitors can buy the sculptures and other works of art which will have prices starting at 100.

In addition to the sculpture park, Peter Roberts – who owns and created the Himalayan Garden – has added further examples to his own sculpture collection.

A new exhibit for 2010 is Samara by Rebecca Newnham who works in glass.

To encourage student sculptors, Peter has also linked up with the School of Design at the University of Leeds.

Selected second-year students on the art and design course will have the opportunity to exhibit, and three finalists will then be chosen who will each qualify for bursaries.

Last year, the Himalayan Garden won the environmental project category in the 2009 Yorkshire Rural Awards.

The Himalayan Garden also has a nursery selling nearly 200 different varieties of rhododendron as well as many other ericaceous shrubs and perennials.

The garden is open daily (closed Mondays except Bank Holidays) until June 13, from 10am-4pm. Admission is 6, under-12s free.

For more information, phone 01765 658009 or visit www.himalayangarden.com