Welsh Champion for Medicash

Date: 07/09/2005

Rare Blue Douglas Fir discoverd at Medicash Centres, Queens Avenue, Colwyn Bay.

Visitors to the recent open days at the Medicash John Braddock and Mary Bamber convalescence centres in Colwyn Bay, were party to an unexpected surprise when a rare Blue Douglas Fir was discovered in the grounds.

The Blue Douglas Fir, less commonly known as Pseudotsunga menziesii var. glauca, is one of only a few known specimens in the UK, with the newly discovered evergreen standing at an impressive 31 metres, making the Colwyn Bay Fir the tallest in the UK and Ireland.

The find is set to further enhance the reputation of the Medicash John Braddock and Mary Bamber convalescence centres, whose spectacular grounds were last year dubbed Colwyn Bay’s ‘secret gardens’.

The former stately home of Lord Colwyn, the John Braddock centre was used as a place where soldiers could recuperate after the devastation of World War II, whilst the Mary Bamber centre was built later in the 1960’s.

Both centres are now used by Medicash (formerly the Penny in the Pound Fund) to provide rest and relaxation to people recovering from illness. Set amongst 13 acres of landscaped grounds the sites feature timbered parkland, a wild orchard, sensory garden, vegetable garden, and an authentic Victorian walled garden.

The site also boasts spacious lawns and an ornamental lake with fountain, bowling and putting greens, and impressive views of the North Wales coast. All of which contributed towards the grounds winning first prize in the Hospitals and Health Centre category at the annual Wales in Bloom competition in 2004 and 2005 and a silver award in the annual Snowdonia Wildlife Gardening Project awards at the first time of asking.

This latest accolade was awarded in the Business Garden category, with the judges being particularly impressed with the biodiversity and organic aspects of the garden’s woodland and meadow. The discovery of the Blue Douglas Fir is set to add further to the impressive collection and represents quite a coup for the team of gardeners, led by Head Gardener Terry Scheers.

Terry commented: “The discovery of such a rare tree in the grounds has taken everyone by surprise, but to find out it is the tallest known specimen in the country is very special indeed.”

“The team has worked extremely hard to ensure the grounds at the centres are conducive towards rest and recuperation and the new Fir has added yet another interesting feature for everyone to enjoy.”

David Alderman, from the Tree Register, said: “We are extremely pleased to confirm that the Blue Douglas Fir is the tallest ever recorded in Britain and Ireland and the best of its kind in the whole of Wales. Terry Scheers and everyone at Medicash should be very proud of their new champion and enjoy it for many years to come.”

Medicash Chief Executive, Bill Gaywood added: “The prize-winning surroundings of both the Medicash John Braddock and Mary Bamber convalescence centres are well known for their beauty and serenity.”

“The discovery of this champion Blue Douglas Fir can only add to the overall splendour of the gardens and I can think of no more fitting setting for such a splendid and rare tree.”

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