1 June 2011

Botanic Garden to celebrate 40th anniversary with week of events

The University of Dundee Botanic Garden is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a full week of events in June including an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s 'The Tempest', a 5km run around the garden, and an antiques valuation roadshow by Bonhams.

The anniversary celebrations will also feature guided walks, art exhibitions and a silent plant auction.

The Gardens were opened in October 1971 by Sir George Taylor, the distinguished Director of Kew Gardens in London, Dr John Berry of Tayport and the then University Principal, James Drever.

'Forty years ago it was just a field with one tree in it,' said Alasdair Hood, who has been Curator of the Garden for the past 13 years. 'The original sycamore is still here but the gardens have grown by a third and there are more than 5500 different species of plants.

'The Garden is a great facility for the city. There are only 13 University Botanic Gardens in the UK and we are very privileged to have one here. The Garden is looking really good. The anniversary celebrations offer something for everyone and it is going to be a great week.'

Located in the West End of Dundee about a mile from the main University campus , the Garden now also boasts an art gallery, visitor centre, café and shop. Visitor numbers are also on the up.

The Garden is arranged geographically so that visitors can walk through the world’s temperate regions from the Mediterranean to East Asia. The British Native Plant area contains plant communities adapted to conditions high in the Angus glens down through woodlands to the seashore. The Glasshouses contain contrasting rainforest and desert habitats, while the historical development of plant adaptations is shown in the Evolution Garden.

As it enters its 40th anniversary the Garden is also busier than it has ever been.

'In the past ten years or so the number of visitors we have has gone up from 6000 to almost 80,000 annually and is continuing to rise,' said Alasdair.

'We also have more than 1000 visits by University and College students and more than 2000 visits by members of school groups. It is a wonderful resource.'

The celebrations are being supported by the Friends of the Botanic Garden, who carry out vital fundraising and other work for the Garden. 'We are delighted to be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Garden and are looking forward to a wonderful week of events,' said Mrs Frances Tait, Chair of the Friends of the Botanic Garden.

'I hope as many people as possible in Dundee and beyond will come along, enjoy the great range of activities, and appreciate the beauty of this wonderful place.'

During the week of celebrations the Garden will remain fully open to the public as normal.

For more information on the Garden visit: www.dundee.ac.uk/botanic.

A full programme of the 40th anniversary events is below.

13th-18th June University of Dundee Botanic Garden 40th Anniversary
A week of events to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the garden

All week
Fundraising Art Exhibition and Sale, 10am-4.30pm in the Visitor Centre. Original watercolours and pencil drawings of flower and bird portraits, by Mary Benstead. The exhibition can be viewed online at: www.dundee.ac.uk/botanic/exhibitions/artsale2011/#d.en.45073.

Tuesday 14th June
4 - 5.30pm Guided Walk by the Curator Alasdair Hood - looking at 40 year old plants and their management. No Charge - Booking Essential, contact the Garden Office to book on 01382 381190.

Wednesday 15th June
Garden Fun Run 6.30pm Fun Run, 7.30pm Fast Run, round the Garden Paths

Thursday 16th June
12noon-4,30pm Artist in Residence, Sarah Gittens, Open Studio, Education Centre

Open Air Theatre - 'The Tempest' by DBS Productions from 7.30pm (garden open from 6pm).
An outdoor performance ensuring a summer evening of fun and laughter
Tickets: £12 (Concession £8)
Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children): £35
10% discount for group bookings over ten persons.
Tickets from the Garden Office
Note: £1.50 charge for card payments
This is an outdoor event, please dress appropriately.

Friday 17th June
Bonhams at the Botanics - Charity Valuation Day, 11am-3pm. Entry to Valuation Marquee by ticket only - available from at Garden Reception on the day. Further details available on 01382 665719.

Specialists will be available to give valuations, and there will be an opportunity to consign goods to forthcoming Bonhams sales. This event has been organised by the Friends of the Botanic Garden.

Valuations by donation, £5 per item, or three items for £10, proceeds to the Friends of the University of Dundee Botanic Garden Endowment Fund.

Bee Fruitful and Multiply, artist Emma Lindsey BA Hons will be presenting her work at 2pm (This is the McCarrison Society Scottish Group Art prize 2011)

The installation will be in the Garden from 13th June 2011

2pm Our garden - then & now - talk & walk by Education Officer, Neil Paterson. Booking Essential, via the Garden Office

Friday 17th - Sunday 19th June
Silent Auction - opportunity to acquire a unique plant from the garden.

Bidding opens 12noon Friday 17th and closes 4pm Sunday 19th.

Sunday 19th June
Guided walk through the native plant area, by Clare Reaney

2pm - Conservation and Folklore of Native Plants

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902