Situated
in Crescent Road, Crescent Gardens is continually developed and
maintained in a partnership between the Friends of Crescent Gardens and
Gosport Borough Council.
Crescent
Gardens was originally designed in the 19th century and included a
terrace walk with marine views, ornamental shrubberies, lawns and
trees. At this time the garden also housed a small neo-classic bath
house and a reading room. An annual payment of £1.10 shillings was
levied from residents for the maintenance and use of the pleasure
garden, but this was discontinued by 1926 and the garden was no longer
maintained.
After World
War Two the area was given into the care of Gosport Borough Council by
Miss Pauline Cruickshank. The reading room was demolished in 1950 and
the area, increasingly overgrown, was maintained as an open space.
As
part of it's urban regeneration scheme, in 1988, Gosport Borough
Council initiated consultation between the Hampshire Gardens Trust,
Hampshire County Council, English Heritage and local residents. It was
decided the gardens basic structure should be restored. Paths were
cleared, together with the original site of the reading room and all
laid with bredon gravel. The railings with the original Anthemion
Capitals were replaced.
Local
residents were encouraged to express their views and invited to take an
active part in the re-creation of a garden on the restored site. In
1991 an Association of Friends of Crescent Gardens was formed and is
now over 300 strong. with the help and co-operation of the H.G.T.,
H.C.C., and G.B.C. they have designed, planted and maintained a central
planting round the site of the reading room, adapting a design
contemporary with The Crescent by J.C. Loudon.
For
three years the Friends planned and saved to complete the Garden with
"exactly the right thing" at its centre. After many difficulties
innumerable problems were finally overcome. With Grant aid
supplementing the generosity of the Friends a small fountain was
installed in a circular pool with a simple curve of Portland stone.
Two
bowls are supported by a trio of Neo-Classic Dolphins, (a tangible
reminder that for almost a century Gosport was home to the Royal Navy's
Flag Officer Submarines and the First Submarine Squadron). The sparkle
and sound of water give great pleasure to the Garden's many visitors,
young and old alike.
Old specimen trees include
a fine Cedar and a truly magnificent Tulip Tree; a young Monkey Puzzle
has taken over from one recently lost. Another understudy is a Holly,
"Golden Queen" replacing one planted for Queen Victoria's Coronation.
Opposite is a Black Mulberry tree planted for the 50th anniversary of
D-Day, when 14 caissons for the harbours for Operation Overlord were
built and launched at Stokes Bay.
These historical links are important to the Friends, as is the Regency design and planting reflecting the architectural period.
Working
in partnership with Gosport Borough Council they help to make the
Garden a living asset to the life of the community. For four years it
has been in the famous Yellow Book, and it is the scene of various
happy community events, including a Garden Party which has become a
Summer fixture for the neighbourhood.
This
garden could not have been achieved or sustained without the ongoing
partnership that has evolved between Gosport Borough Council and the
Friends. The garden is accessable to the disabled and small children
can play in safety inside the railings.
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