Short Summary
My name is Jane Cullen and I am the Founder of The West Bank Park Heritage Project. West Bank Park in York is based on the site of the James Backhouse Plant Nurseries, a world famous site once known as The Kew of the North. James Backhouse was a gifted botanist, philanthropist and Quaker missionary. In 1832 he travelled to Australia to visit the convicts and settlers, and played an important role in developing more humane methods of prison reform. He continued his Mission to South Africa and Mauritius, writing journals and collecting plants throughout his travels.
Ours is a fabulous park, but like many, it is under threat due to council cuts. An idea to give this park an independent revenue stream for its continued maintenance is to transform the old park-keeper's lodge into a Heritage Centre and Cafe. The Backhouse would be a place for young and old to share and celebrate the history of this park, whilst enjoying a cup of tea together.
Many people worked at the Backhouse Nurseries and we also want to celebrate that heritage. The achievements of James Backhouse and his son (also called James) were so important in the botanical world. In this little park in York, history really was made. By helping to fund this feasibility study, you will be ensuring that this history is remembered.
What We Need & What You Get
The City of York Council owns this building, and whilst we have had many meetings and have engaged with the community about this project, the point has now come to let the numbers do the talking. In order to consider its viability as a Heritage Centre and Cafe, the Council need to see that we have seriously considered the figures. We need appropriate organizations to put our dreams and ideas into formal business forecasts. A full feasibility study is now the only way that this project will move forward. However the outlook is very encouraging.
By helping us to fund this feasibility study you will not only be helping us to move to the next level, but also giving tangible proof to all interested parties that there is a need and great support for such a service in our park.
Imagine having a tea or coffee in a wonderful traffic-free environment, where children can play and access is available for all? We currently have nothing in the area that acts as a hub for young and old alike, where we can spend time in a shared space together.
If you help to fund this study, we have some great perks, and even if we don't get what we need, the money will be handed to the Friends of West Bank Park who will use it for other park projects.
The Impact
As a Quaker Missionary James Backhouse went from his former home, which was based at West Bank House in the park, all the way to Australia, where he introduced Quakerism. The voyage took him five months and he was away a total of ten years. He was a real-life explorer, and as a Quaker he was a man who did not shout about his achievements, but there were many. His work was world renowned and it deserves to be remembered and celebrated.
Risks & Challenges
This project will need a lot of money to come to fruition, but in finding out all of the pitfalls now we will be prepared for what is to come. There is a lot of local attention to this story but there is also a great deal of international interest. The work of James Backhouse is known in Australia and his botanical collections of international specimens are still conserved at Kew.
Other Ways You Can Help
Whilst money is crucial to this campaign, we are also asking for everyone to help by spreading the word. Please pass on this campaign to all of your friends, and hopefully in the not too distant future you can meet them for a cuppa in The Backhouse.
Please use your soclal media to share our story.