We saw the decline of many historic parks and gardens after the First World War, as a result of which many of the owners of the great houses lacked the staff or funds to maintain them. The Second World War almost put an end to the professional gardener. Some of these historic gardens have already been lost or destroyed. Others may be endangered by inappropriate development or neglect. It is our aim to improve the awareness and appreciation of our garden heritage in Yorkshire.

We have decided to research and record at least one site each year. The intention being to write up the research and produce a booklet for our members who attend a visit to the site, at the end of the research. This visit will be included in the Yorkshire Gardens Trust Events Programme. Other members may be doing their own research, which we will help with if needed.

Often a street or house name denotes what had been on a site before, such as, The Cedars, Orchard Cottage, or Coney Garth. Other tell-tale objects which may look bereft are gate-piers, walls, trees or a garden building which may have been preserved, when the rest of the garden has been lost or destroyed. A study of the First Edition OS map is often a useful starting point for research. Fortunately, several of Yorkshire's Public Parks have been saved and rejuvenated by grants from the HLF, but there are still more sites that need help and further research.

Your help is vital. Yorkshire is the largest county in this country and there is much to be done. If you care about our parks and garden heritage, enthusiasm is the only requisite if you would like to know more about them, or to join our Research and Recording Group. For further information please get in touch with our Secretary (secretary@yorkshiregardenstrust.org.uk).