Restoration
Ed and Sarah’s vision is to re-discover the ‘lost’ areas of the garden, working slowly and sensitively to restore them so that they can be maintained for future generations and enjoyed by the many visitors who now come to Riverhill.
2011 Restoration and Maintenance Projects
We are please to have made some important initial steps with the restoration programme with two major projects completed this year.
Collapsed Kitchen Garden Wall
Over the years land movement has caused the southern wall of the old Kitchen Garden to lean down the hill. Unfortunately, frost action then caused a substantial section to collapse during February 2009.
In December 2010 Listed Building Consent was granted for the restoration of the fallen part and for a series of buttresses to be built along the remaining section to prevent further deterioration. This also included re-building new gate pillars and for the original gates to be restored and re-hung. The building work started in April and is now nearing completion.
This work has been funded by The Peter Rogers Riverhill Maintenance Fund Settlement, a Heritage Maintenance Fund set up with a legacy left by the late Colonel Peter Rogers for the restoration and ongoing maintenance of Riverhill Gardens. Peter Rogers (1946-2003), Ed's uncle, was born and grew up at Riverhill.
Riverhill House - Urgent restoration of chimneys and repair and repainting of windows
The fine Spring weather this year, created near-perfect conditions for urgent repair and decoration work on the main house. 5 of the 7 chimneys were completely re-rendered and the windows on the eastern and central sections of the house were both repaired and repainted. This work might not be 'glamorous' but it was essential to prevent further deterioration.
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The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is funded by Defra and the EU. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD): Europe investing in rural areas.
