ILKLEY-born gardener Alan Titchmarsh returned to his home town on Thursday to officially open Ilkley Manor House’s new heritage sensory garden.

The occasion attracted more than 100 visitors including the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Doreen Lee and Ilkley Town Mayor, Mark Stidworthy.

They were joined other members of Ilkley Town Council and the wider community to welcome Alan Titchmarsh, who is the Patron of Manor House Trust.

The creation of the garden has been funded by the Tesco Bags of Help scheme and members of Groundwork, the charity that manages the Bags of Help scheme and the local Tesco joined the celebrations.

The proposal for the sensory garden was developed by the Friends of the Manor House. It celebrates the transfer of the historic Ilkley Manor House to the community and forms a backdrop for open air performances and concerts.

Chairman of the Friends of the Manor House John Cockshott, chairman of the Friends said: “It is wonderful to see all the hard work of the volunteers and members of the committee come to fruition and make this event such a success.

“Sandy Macrae and the gardening team have done an excellent job to bring the idea of the heritage sensory garden to life.

“We were also very fortunate to have the help of Trevor Nicholson from Harewood in designing the garden.”

Alan was shown round the gardens by Chris Elliff, Christine Brown and Marlene Haworth, who acted as representatives of all the volunteers who have worked so hard on the gardens.

Peggy Lambert, Alan Titchmarsh’s former school teacher joined Alan for some tea and cakes. Alan then spent over an hour at the courtyard and house chatting with Ilkley residents, Manor House volunteers and trustees.

Alan said: “I lived in Ilkley until I was 20 and so for me Ilkley is my home and the Manor House is the hub of Ilkley set in the very centre of the town.

“It is wonderful to see it opened up and being used, having being given back to the town by Bradford.

“I have always found gardens are places of comfort and keep you grounded (no pun intended) and this garden will do just that.”

Sir Rodney Brooke, president of Ilkley Manor House Trust said: “The event at the Manor House went brilliantly.

“We were delighted to welcome the new Lord Mayor of Bradford, our own Town Mayor and many of the Ilkley Town Council to the event.

“The star of the show was, of course, Alan who gave his time so generously and his real interest in the Manor House and all that we are doing is a delight.”

The Manor House is open every weekend from 11am – 4pm.

The Manor House website – www.ilkleymanorhouse.org has full details of opening times and all the events and activities that are happening in the house over the next few months.