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Sefton Park’s Palm House is commemorating two significant milestones in 2026 with a vibrant lineup of events designed to celebrate its remarkable heritage and engage the community in shaping its future. The iconic Liverpool structure, originally opened in 1896, reaches an impressive 130 years, while also marking 25 years since its revitalization and reopening in 2001 after suffering decades of neglect throughout the 1980s. This quarter-century milestone highlights the critical role played by the local community, whose dedication and generosity resurrected the Palm House from disrepair.
The Palm House is honouring this legacy of communal effort by hosting a variety of free and fundraising events throughout the year. These activities aim to highlight the ongoing importance of community involvement in safeguarding the venue. A new supporters’ campaign has also been launched, offering individuals the chance to contribute towards the upkeep of the building, its botanical collections, and its community programmes, while fostering a deeper connection with this beloved landmark.
Kate Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the Palm House, emphasises the significance of these achievements, noting, “The Palm House that we know and love today is very much an icon of Sefton Park and is beloved by many people in Liverpool. What began as an ‘indoor garden’, home to key pieces of Liverpool’s Botanical Collection and providing a ‘window to the world’ for its many Victorian visitors, now offers a heritage visitor attraction and a setting for educational and community events, which are supported by an award-winning wedding and events venue and café.” She adds that the reopening in 2001 was made possible thanks to the persistent efforts of the ‘Save the Palm House’ campaign and the foresight of early supporters who also ensured the establishment of a wedding and events business to support ongoing upkeep. This community-driven approach continues to be central to its success.
To further promote community involvement, the new supporters’ campaign invites enthusiasts to join as annual members, sponsor elements such as benches or planters, or simply donate to support the cause. Kate explains, “You can now root for our future by becoming a supporter with an annual membership, sponsoring a bench or planter, or by simply donating the change in your pocket when you visit, or online. All this support, however big or small, can help us to directly protect the Palm House, nurture our unique botanical collection, keep admission free, and enable our community events to continue to help people flourish.” The year’s programme will include a host of initiatives such as talks, late summer openings, community garden displays in collaboration with local schools and organisations, and a Grow Your Own Harvest Festival inviting gardeners to showcase their home-grown vegetables. Additionally, an exhibition at Liverpool’s Central Library will detail the inspiring campaign to save the Palm House from decay in the 1990s.
Kate Martinez, Head of Visitors & Communities at the Palm House, shared her enthusiasm for the anniversary celebrations, stating, “We really want to put on a year of events that offers something for everyone. The events programme will also recognise the achievements of the Palm House over the past 25 years, including the fact that we have just become the only RHS Partner Garden in Liverpool – a status we are so proud to have achieved – and created an impressive £26m worth of social impact based on a recent report.” She also thanked the many supporters through the decades who have ensured the Palm House remains a vital community hub, encouraging everyone to follow updates via the Palm House’s website and social media throughout the year
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More
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