AN HISTORIC Halesowen garden is hoping an appearance at the recent Gardeners’ World Live exhibition will raise its national profile.

The Leasowes Walled Garden, which only three months ago saw its museum targeted by vandals and thieves, joined forces with the Bat Conservation Trust at the BBC hosted event at Birmingham’s NEC.

The collaboration came about after the 18th century walled garden won last year's Wild About Gardens Week 'plant a bat feast' photo competition, organised by The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), The Wildlife Trusts and Bat Conservation Trust (BCT).

Since winning the competition with its 'Biodiversity and Bats' area, created by volunteers, the garden has continued to build on its conservation efforts, incorporating a wildlife pond into what will become a beautifully spacious and well-thought-out wildflower meadow.

Visitors to the Gardeners’ World Live show were able to meet one of several volunteers who were on hand to talk about the restoration project and this year's Wild About Gardens 'Bee Creative' campaign.

The walled garden also had a display featuring flowers by husband-and-wife team, Paul and Jo Hill of Brookfield Nurseries, in Belbroughton, who are renowned for their award-winning hanging baskets – key to the success of Halesowen In Bloom’s coveted gold award.

Mick Freer, Leasowes Walled Garden’s project leader, said: “We are delighted that the Bat Conservation Trust asked us to participate on their stand and have this opportunity to raise the profile of our conservation work and its continued reliance on funding.”

The garden, which comprises two acres of community gardens, was created in 1776 by Edward Horne, who took ownership of The Leasowes following the poet and landscape designer William Shenstone.

It was then bought for the public by Halesowen Abbey Trust in November 2014, and is maintained by volunteers and funded by charitable donations.

To make a donation to the historic gardens, visit www.leasoweswalledgarden.co.uk, or make cheques payable to Halesowen Abbey Trust and send it to 59 The Hawnelands, Halesowen, B63 3RT.