WATCH: Doorways are link to history

Members of the Halesowen Abbey Trust are carrying out a £500,000 project to restore the derelict site at the Grade I listed Leasowes Park to its former glory.

The doorways, which date to 1776, were discovered while the site was being cleared.

Project leader Mick Freer said the doorways would once have provided access to the garden and featured oak gates attached by metal hinges.

But sometime in the past they fell out of use and were bricked up – but the archways still remain.

Members of the trust now plan to restore the doorways and fit new oak gates so visitors will be able to enjoy the same views as people in the past.

They will be looking for donations to fund the project.

Mr Freer said: "Finding these doorways was a real surprise and from the information we have they would once have been the main access into the garden. Our plan now is to re-introduce these doorways."

Mr Freer said land around the doorways had risen over the years and this would be dug away to uncover them fully. An archaeologist has been brought on board by the trust.

Members also discovered a bottle of wine during their restoration work. It is believed to be around 30 years old and was created by Halfpenny Green Vinery. Mr Freer said the whole development was 'exciting'.

"At the moment, we are getting support from the community and we want the community to join in and enjoy it and enjoy the results when we finish the project," he added. The scheme involves restoring the garden to its 19th century glory. It was added to the mansion in 1776 to feed the family and servants of the owner Edward Horne.

The park is of historic significance because of the landscaping carried out by the poet William Shenstone from 1743 until his death in 1763.

As well as growing produce and flowers, Mr Freer hopes to install period greenhouses and a bothy – where gardeners would stay overnight to protect their produce and light the greenhouse boilers during cold weather. Funding for the scheme has come from the trust, the Friends of Leasowes, Dudley Council and A J Mucklow.

Mr Freer said having a walled garden was a major asset. He added: "This is going to be the biggest improvement to Halesowen for many years."