The new Cathedral Gardens are beginning to flourish, thanks to the hard work and vision of many people. They have been developed as different areas depicting a variety of things such as, an art trail, the history of Christianity on the Isle of Man, the story of Manx geology, a children’s wilderness landscape.
The gardens make numerous connections with locations around the Island. A garden nearing completion, but a long way off maturity is the 20th century Knockaloe Garden, which now has a piece of sculpture installed. The 3 metre high bronze Sculpture is by local artist Angela Patchett. It represents two globally recognised figures associated with the Internment camp: Josef Pilates noted for his exercises (an internee) and Archibald Knox, Prior of the League of St German and noted for his designs for Liberty of London (a censor).
The Dean said: ‘We are so grateful for the initial donors: Culture Vannin and the Isle of Man Arts Council who enabled us to gain major funding from The Jerusalem Trust and the Inlight Foundation. Also to the Isle of Man Steam Packet who assisted in bringing the sculpture to the Island.’
Now that the main contours of the landscape have been constructed, there is now the opportunity for volunteers to get involved.
The island community connections with the gardens are growing in two ways. Lots of individuals have sponsored trees: beech, evergreen oak and apple trees in memory of a particular person or occasion (the book of donors is on public display in the Cathedral) and you can already see the trees beginning to mature. Also as some of the 17 gardens take shape, individuals, groups and families are beginning to adopt them – volunteering enthusiastically as curators or taking responsibility for managing and maintaining a particular garden. In the future there will be a head gardener to support and oversee the gardens and their curators.
It won’t be long before everyone will be able to enjoy spending time in the gardens at the heart of Peel which offers something for everyone, flowers and insect lovers, history buffs, green-fingered gardeners, art lovers, photographers or simply those seeking tranquillity.
Another major piece of art is due later in the year, but that is another story…
Photo - Dean Godfrey and Angela Patchett in front of sculpture as yet unwrapped.
Researching your Manx family history can be a very interesting and rewarding hobby. Trace your roots in the Isle of Man with our helpful of guide.
