Residents of Batley are urging the council to fix the “appalling state” of a beloved museum garden and park in order to restore it to “‘it’s former glory”.

Overlooked by the Bagshaw Museum in Batley, Wilton Park is over 100 years old, dating back to the Victorian era. The park is one of the few in Kirklees to hold the Green Flag Award – recognising it as a well-maintained and clean park – with the museum’s terraced gardens flowing into the park’s wooded grounds.

Yet, despite its great history, residents like Professional Gardener and Author Peter Fawcett are concerned that the “tatty” flag which flies over the Wilton Park is a metaphor for the “abandonment” the grounds have seemingly faced.

77-year-old Peter said: “We have one of the best Museums in Kirklees, yet the gardens are a complete disappointment. The fountain, for example, should have flowing water – but it’s covered in weeds. There is a missed opportunity for progress. It seems to me that it’s been abandoned. It’s appalling.”

Professional Gardener and Author Peter Fawcett, 77, from Cleckheaton shared his concerns about the "appalling" state of Wilton Park

placeholder image — Professional Gardener and Author Peter Fawcett, 77, from Cleckheaton shared his concerns about the "appalling" state of Wilton Park

A gardener by trade, Peter used to tend the grounds in the 80’s, explaining that his foreman would have “rolled in his grave” if he had seen the grounds now.

Footage taken by Peter on a visit just four years previously showed a stark comparison, with the manicured grass and potted plants replaced by “weeds and waste” according to Peter. Further down the trail, heading into Wilton Park, Pete echoed the same fears that the park had been “fed to the wolves.”

Pete said: “Flowerbeds have been cut out, and all that’s left is grass. There is no basic maintenance. We need someone who’s not a jack of all trades, master of none, to help manage the parks.”

Peter hopes that, under “proper management”, both grounds can be restored to their former glory. Peter said: “The garden next to the museum, in particular, is worth its weight in gold and is ripe for re-redevelopment back to the period Victorian Italianate garden that it is.

Peter Fawcett, 77, claimed the grounds and park were covered with "weeds and waste"

In response, Executive Director for Place, David Shepherd, explained that “recent warm and wet weather” had created “ideal growing conditions” but assured that Kirklees Council would “continue to maintain sites in line with the scheduled programme.”

Mr Shephard said: “The herbaceous borders will also be tidied in due course. In the meantime, they provide a valuable habitat for pollinating insects, which play an important role in supporting biodiversity across our parks and green spaces.

“Like many councils, we are working within reduced budgets and resources, which means fewer annual bedding plants have been planted this year. However, the displays we do have will continue to be cared for and maintained to a high standard.”

David Shepherd, Executive Director for Place, said: “Our gardeners are currently working through grass-cutting routes across the district. Recent warm and wet weather has created ideal growing conditions, meaning grass is growing quickly and may appear longer than usual in some areas. However, we are continuing to maintain sites in line with our scheduled programme.

“The herbaceous borders will also be tidied in due course. In the meantime, they provide a valuable habitat for pollinating insects, which play an important role in supporting biodiversity across our parks and green spaces.