Residents of Batley are urging the council to fix the “appalling state” of a beloved museum garden and park in order to restore it to its “former glory”.

Overlooked by Bagshaw Museum, Wilton Park is more than 100 years old, dating back to the Victorian era.

The park is one of the few in Kirklees to hold the Green Flag Award – recognising it as a well-maintained and clean park – with the museum’s terraced gardens flowing into the park’s wooded grounds.

Yet, despite its great history, residents like professional gardener and author, Peter Fawcett, are concerned that the “tatty” flag which flies over the Wilton Park is a metaphor for the “abandonment” the grounds have seemingly faced.

Professional gardener and author, Peter Fawcett, shared his concerns about the 'appalling' state of Wilton Park

placeholder image — Professional gardener and author, Peter Fawcett, shared his concerns about the 'appalling' state of Wilton Park

Peter, 77, said: “We have one of the best museums in Kirklees, yet the gardens are a complete disappointment. The fountain, for example, should have flowing water – but it’s covered in weeds.

“There is a missed opportunity for progress. It seems to me that it’s been abandoned. It’s appalling.”

Peter used to tend the grounds in the 80s, explaining that his foreman would have “rolled in his grave” if he saw the grounds now.

Footage taken by Peter on a visit four years previously showed a stark comparison, with the manicured grass and potted plants replaced by what he described as “weeds and waste”.

Peter said the Green Flag Award was a 'tatty metaphor' for the state of the park and museum grounds

Peter hopes that, under “proper management”, both grounds can be restored to their former glory.

He said: “The garden next to the museum, in particular, is worth its weight in gold and is ripe for re-redevelopment back to the period Victorian Italianate garden that it is.”

In response, David Shepherd, Kirklees Council’s executive director for place, explained that “recent warm and wet weather” had created “ideal growing conditions” but assured that Kirklees Council would “continue to maintain sites in line with the scheduled programme”.

Mr Shepherd said: “The herbaceous borders will also be tidied in due course. In the meantime, they provide a valuable habitat for pollinating insects, which play an important role in supporting biodiversity across our parks and green spaces.

“Like many councils, we are working within reduced budgets and resources, which means fewer annual bedding plants have been planted this year. However, the displays we do have will continue to be cared for and maintained to a high standard.”