Bulrushes at Palmer Gardens, Trowbridge

Brigadier General George Llewellen Palmer, JP, CB, DL was once a very prominent figure in Wiltshire, the only son of Michael Palmer, who was head of Palmer and Mackay, owning woollen mills and weaving factories in Trowbridge.

2012 was the 100th anniversary of the opening of Palmer Gardens which Brigadier Palmer provided in his wife's name as a playground for the young and a pleasure ground for the old.

in 1981 Wiltshire County Council controversially decided to sell the gardens to save money. The Shaw Trust took over the site and developed what had been a rather amateur garden centre into a slick business. The Trust has covered a sizeable portion of the gardens with new compounds, plant houses, and a restaurant. The amenity which Brigadier Palmer originally intended for the use and enjoyment of children attending public elementary schools in Trowbridge has now pretty much been lost.

Nikon D90 and Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED DX lens.