A day of action in Ellesmere last month transformed the site and set a date for more improvements to create a new useable space at The Mere.

Tescos Bags of Help have donated £12,000 to the project, The Lost Garden Terraces of Castlefields Arboretum.

The site, as with much of The Mere, was formerly owned by the Brownlow Estate and donated to the public in the 1950’s. It lies below the old Motte and Bailey adjacent to The Mere.

Local volunteers, two contractor teams from Country Gardens and Woodlands, and outdoor recreation staff rolled their sleeves up and got to work.

The project aims to restore the garden terraces, respecting its former glory as an early Victorian garden terrace and telling the story of its use by the aristocracy, including King Edward VIII and Wallace Simpson.

Volunteers have also helped in the archaeological dig of the old ice house and revealed an elaborate and unusual design. Self-set trees have been removed from site and replaced with 20 trees selected for their form, colour, beauty and interest. New paths have been created and the site has been tidied up. Five new benches will be installed offering new views across The Mere.

To find out what's happening in and around The Mere see The Mere Journal Facebook pages.