Remedy to revive garden cultivated by monks

Now a group of volunteers has started restoring the plot of land behind Abbey House to recall a bygone age of both cooking and medical treatment.

When preparing one for the pot the monks would use common herbs from the garden, similar to the varieties we still find on supermarket shelves today.

But some recipes would call for liberal sprinklings of plants we now see only in flower beds, such as crushed geraniums to flavour fruit and cream dishes.

Other edible flowers included pot marigold which was used in soups and on salads. Also into the mix would go other strange roots and leaves, some also with medicinal properties, with names such as yarrow and bistort.

It is that astonishing range of herbs and plants cultivated at Whitby Abbey that members of the newly formed Friends of the Physic Garden Group intend to recreate in partnership with Whitby in Bloom.

Centuries before the phrase "The Good Life" was coined the Roman Catholic Church had made self-sufficiency a way of life for its monastic communities.

The monks at Whitby originally cultivated the herb garden on the site from medieval times. In the 16th century Abbey House, reputedly the home of the Abbot, was built next to the garden.

When the sacking of the monasteries came, the garden declined as a monastic garden. Abbey House became a private residence and a 17th century landscaped garden, with terraces and lawns, was laid out there, although the herbs and flowers continued to flourish in the borders and near the house.

From 1896 to 2000 Abbey House became a hotel for budget travellers and all that remained of the monastic and 17th century garden was an imposing lawn.

When the Youth Hostel Association took over the site, it was decided to restore both the previous gardens. Now Damian Parker, manager of Abbey House Youth Hostel, is chairing the new Friends group, which has attracted eight volunteers, mainly retired gardeners. The aim is to work with Whitby in Bloom to dig out the degraded soil, spread compost, take cuttings, and acquire new stock to re-populate the garden so it appears as it was before Henry VIII fell out with the Roman Catholic Church.

It is hoped that youth hostellers might start seeing results from next summer. Long term the aim is to open up the garden to the public so they can enjoy the surroundings and refreshments from the existing tea shop.

Mr Parker said: "We think it is crucially important to Whitby as a whole. It is such a lovely location and has a lot of history."

When the YHA took over the site a decade ago they found the building had been extensively partitioned to create the maximum number of rooms. Once the modern partitions were removed, the original features of the historic building were revealed.

When the conversion of Abbey House began for the YHA the garden still featured a lovely lawn but little remained of the monastic and 17th century garden.

"A lot of the culinary and medicinal herbs had died off. There were gaps in the box hedges, and one whole bank was collapsing," Mr Parker added.

It would take blood, sweat and tears to restore the ruined beds. The YHA, however, had no budget. It was only when Whitby in Bloom, with its horticultural connections, came on board that it became clear the project might have a chance and recruitment started for the Friends group, which started work last week, collecting clippings and digging out tired soil.

One of the historical changes that the project will underline is how plants now prized more for their aromas were once essential flavourings in monastic cooking.

Similarly, monastery gardens also included a section to supply the infirmary and the project aims to re-populate these medicinal plants as well.

These included remedies for all manner of ailments, from skin problems, to head aches, to fevers.

Although science may not be immediately convinced that the monks' potions can match modern medicine, there is anecdotal evidence that many of the remedies do work.

The project will also spruce up the orchard which includes apple and pear trees, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, and other fruits to grace the plates of the brothers.

If you are interested in joining the friends' group or helping in any way, contact Damian Parker on 01947 602878.