MYSTERY surrounding who owns a small town centre garden in Barnard Castle, described as “a bit of a no-man’s land” , has been solved.
Amen Corner, at the junction of Newgate and The Bank, next to St Mary’s Parish Church, was originally created in the 1930s following the demolition of a semi-detached shop.
The garden remained in the care of Barnard Castle Urban District Council until 1979 when it transferred to Teesdale District Council and then to Durham County Council in 2009.
It was taken on by the Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership and spruced up as part of a wider project involving Scar Top.
However, once the Heart of Teesdale initiative ended, the area was simply left with no-one to care for it.
The question of who owns the garden, which was originally planted with white roses to celebrate the connection to Richard III, was raised two years ago following an article in the Teesdale Mercury written by retired teacher Margaret Watson.
Ms Watson lamented how unkempt it had become, highlighting the loss of the white roses that had been replaced with shrubs.
Since then, a team of volunteers have replanted white roses paid for by the North Dales Richard III Group as there were no objections raised.
Now the Durham Diocesan Board has produced land registry documents proving they are responsible for the land.
Martin Clark, clerk to Barnard Castle Town Council told members of the services committee last month he had received confirmation, solving the mystery of ownership.
He said: “It does not belong to Durham County Council or Barnard Castle – the land registry evidence shows Durham Diocesan Board.
“Advice is quite clear that they want to continue looking after it. I don’t see any reason why Barnard Castle would want to object. I know it has been maintained and looked after by the Richard III group and they will continue to be looking after it”
Cllr Frank Harrison said: “It will save us money.”
