JUST who is officially responsible for a small town garden remains as vague as ever, town councillors were told.
Cllr Richard Child, chairman of the services committee, updated members on work undertaken by a group of volunteers to clear the overgrown shrubs and weeds at Amen Corner, at the junction of Newgate and The Bank, outside St Mary’s Parish Church.
Led by former town councillor Roger Peat, the volunteers aim to restore the garden and replant white roses to commemorate Barney’s connection to Richard III.
But who is ultimately responsible for the garden is unclear, councillors were told.
Most recently, Amen Corner was maintained by the now defunct Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership.
Town clerk Michael King said since then, the area has been looked after on a “grace and favour” basis by Durham County Council.
“They are convinced it is church land, but Alec (Canon Harding, of St Mary’s Church) does not see it as his.
“It is much harder for Durham to come to an arrangement with us to do it as they are doing it on behalf of the church.”
Town mayor Cllr John Blissett offered to raise the matter with Revd Harding to discus the situation.
