Green-fingered volunteers sought for West Bromwich attraction spruce-up
Volunteers with a love of gardening are being urged to get stuck in to helping to spruce up the groups of a popular visitor attraction.
Work is under way to help recreate the 17th century gardens at Oak House Museum in West Bromwich.
A gardening group is being put together by staff at Sandwell Museums to work on clearing and replanting the grounds.
Helpers would work to clear overgrown areas as well as planting herbs, bay, lavender and fruit trees in keeping with the date of the house, which dates back to 1630.
The museum has received funding to set up the gardening club.
Museum services manager Jane Hanney said: "Our long-term aim is to make the grounds far more part of the museum and reflect the history and stories of the site in keeping with the 17th century date of the house.
"We are also looking to garden for wildlife so that we can offer more wildlife activities at the site."
Visitor services manager Jessica Hoyle said: "We want to create a space that is in keeping with the house and complements it as it was once a working farm so the outside space was as important as inside the house.
"We also want to create a welcoming and safe space for visitors and a nice space for people to enjoy."
The original owners of Oak House are not known, but the family most closely associated with it are the Turton family which were living there by 1634.
The museum wants to recreate the garden to how it would have looked when the family were at the house.
"The grounds would also have had useful plants which were used in cooking, medicine and household chores. Everything would have been useful," said Ms Hanney.
People who want to know more can call 0121 553 0759 or come along to our open day on Tuesday 3rd Feb from 10am-12pm in the Oak House barns visitor centre.
