ORGANISERS of the restoration of Halesowen’s historic Leasowes Walled Garden are hoping for a windfall of up to £1 million from the National Lottery.

An 85-strong army of volunteers is working tirelessly to restore the two-and-a-half acre plot to its former glory as part of the Grade 1 Listed Leasowes Park.

The garden was created n the 1770s to feed the household of Edward Horne, who moved to Leasowes after previous owner landscaper and poet William Shenstone died in 1763.

More recently it was used by horticultural students at Stourbridge College into falling into disuse.

Hales Owen Abbey Trust, which bought the garden last year, has already spent around £70,000 on the purchase and facelift and is preparing a lottery bid to build a Victorian greenhouse and visitor centre with a cafe.

Trust secretary Mick Freer said: “The walled garden will be a focal point for visitors to the green lung which is Halesowen’s countryside.”

It is envisaged people will use it as a base for exploring the many walks across the recently-threatened greenbelt around the 13th century abbey ruins, Leasowes Park and the Coombeswood Green Wedge.

Volunteers, working up to four days a week, have taken down nearly all the commercial greenhouses in the walled garden and cleared out disused temporary buildings which are now ready to come down.

Mr Freer said about half the garden was now being cultivated with flower beds, roses, tress and mowed grass.

A rockery, pond and herb garden are also being developed and Mr Freer said although a lot of work had been done “there still a long way to go”.

In the slip garden, land has been cleared and prepared for a large orchard and 60 heritage varieties of fruit trees will be planted in December.

There will also be a beehive and wildflower meadow and a natural pond to attract wildlife.

Mr Freer said: “We want to make it a lovely place to be, where people can sit and have a snack and just enjoy being there.

“Over the last few decades many orchards have been taken out and we want to create an orchard for Halesowen.”

Fruit and vegetables are also now being grown in the slip garden.

The walled garden is open on an ad hoc basis on Saturdays from 9.30am until 1.30pm for people to view the restoration work and Mr Freer hopes the fledgling orchard will be ready for visitors to start enjoying by next spring.

The trust, which has raised the £70,000 spent so far through fundraising, donations and sponsorship.

It is now asking supporters to sponsor the £25 cost of a tree for the orchard and anyone wishing to donate should contact Mr Freer on 07855 473045.