From time to time, our team at The Gardeners' House happen upon articles in the archives which are too good not to share! And as this month marked the 135th anniversary of the opening of Morrab Gardens, this seemed a perfect time to share it with our audience.
This brilliant newspaper article was published 75 years ago when Penzance was marking the 60th anniversary of the gardens. It is a bit difficult to read at the quality of the attached image, so here's the opening of the article:
"SUCCESS TO THE MORRAB GARDENS"
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When Penzance Sulked
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TOWN COUNCIL'S WISDOM
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By John Penwith
There is nothing that Penzance people enjoy more than a good long sulk. Sixty years ago they had a grievance which kept them happy for months on end – a grievance directed, as usual, against the Town Council.
The Council (again as usual), had been spending too much money, this time on a crazy scheme to provide a public park in the centre of the town. Over £3,000 had been spent on the purchase of the grounds. Over £3,000!
In the Star and the White Lion, at Lavin’s Corner, outside the chapels on Sunday evening, the townspeople fumed against Ald. R. H. Preston, instigator of the scheme, and his Council colleagues.
Thankfully, the sulking did not last forever - and Morrab Gardens has been a welcome part of the Penzance landscape for 135 years now!