Future of free topiary attraction safeguarded

The yew trees were once part of Clipsham Hall estate

The future of a unique attraction has been safeguarded by five years of funding.

Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue is a topiary collection near the Rutland village with roots which stretch back more than 200 years.

The half-a-mile-long free attraction currently features 137 ancient yew trees clipped into shapes ranging from a rabbit to a Spitfire to a man on the moon.

The Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust set up in 2018 to safeguard the historic site has been awarded a grant of £114,650 to preserve the trees and restore lost topiary designs.

All of the designs were lost when the site fell into disrepair

Designs to be restored include the Millennium celebrations, the 1969 Moon landings, Concorde, a Spitfire, a horse, Rutland's independence in 1997, and several designs to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

Dr Patrick Candler, chairman of the charity, thanked the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its support.

He said: 'This is absolutely wonderful news for the avenue and means we now have the funding security to continue to keep the site in great condition and also to restore the lost topiary designs for the next five years.

"This really is a 'yew-nique' early Christmas present."

The site is now free to visit

Once the carriage driveway to Clipsham Hall, the first topiary was crafted in 1870 by the estate's head forester.

Over the years more individual designs were developed to commemorate national events and people of interest.

But in 2010, government cuts meant the trimming of the trees could not be continued by the Forestry Commission.

The avenue became overgrown with all designs lost, some trees became diseased, and bank voles disturbed the ground.

The trust was formed in 2018 to restore the site to its former glory, and the new funding will support ongoing maintenance at the site, restoration of the topiary, and installation of information boards and outdoor furniture.