CULTURE CLUB
A CITY ESCAPE Enjoy peaceful views away from the hubbub of busy Cambridge
MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE FUTURE GENERATIONS ENJOY IT, AS WE DO
“It is both humbling and an honour to reflect on, and celebrate, the significance of this anniversary, especially at a time when the Garden has taken on a new role in our local community during lockdown. We have had so many wonderful messages of gratitude and support for remaining open during the pandemic,” says Beverley. “We’re working hard to meet the goals of our living collection strategy: bringing in new plants from around the world, increasing the proportion of our collection that’s rare in horticulture or endangered in the wild, and giving people the chance to engage with truly extraordinary plants. “One thing this 175th anniversary reminds me of is that I am only a steward
of this place. My job is to make sure that future generations enjoy it, just as we currently do thanks to the work of my predecessors,” she adds. “I hope I can do that as well as they did!” Cambridge University Botanic Garden has evolved significantly in its long life, but the gratitude shown by both visitors and the team has very much remained the same. “In our anniversary year, we want to appreciate and reflect on what the Garden means to our local community,” says Beverley. “To our visitors from further afield and our social media followers, as well as our researchers, students, Garden guides, volunteers, members and staff – everyone who makes this a wonderful place
to visit and work in, giving the Garden its unique spirit – thank you.” Join in the anniversary fun by following @CUBotanicGarden on Twitter, and visit Facebook and Instagram to see memories and pictures from the archive. If you have memories of your own to share, get involved by using the hashtag #CUBG175 on social media .
THE BOTANIC GARDEN IN NUMBERS
Number of plant species 8,000+
First opened in 1846
Current Garden size 40 acres
Record annual visitors 300,000
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK AUGUST 2021 21
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