1 00:00:08,149 --> 00:00:10,239 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: Hello and welcome to the National Trust 2 00:00:10,250 --> 00:00:14,029 podcast. I'm Michelle Douglass podcast producer at the National 3 00:00:14,039 --> 00:00:14,640 Trust. 4 00:00:14,779 --> 00:00:18,659 Today, we're heading to Manchester, a metropolis famous 5 00:00:18,670 --> 00:00:22,829 for its football, music and industrial history. But you 6 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:26,290 might not know that in the centre of the city lies a very 7 00:00:26,299 --> 00:00:31,659 unusual green oasis because to find this hidden garden, you've 8 00:00:31,670 --> 00:00:33,090 got to look up. 9 00:00:40,729 --> 00:00:45,130 DYMPNA GOULD: This is really unusual. This garden is in the 10 00:00:45,139 --> 00:00:48,020 heart of one of the busiest cities in the country. 11 00:00:49,299 --> 00:00:55,520 It's on 19th century viaduct. I've described this as secret 12 00:00:55,529 --> 00:00:58,330 gardens in the sky. 13 00:00:58,330 --> 00:01:01,380 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: With around 2.8 million people living here. 14 00:01:01,430 --> 00:01:05,470 Manchester is currently the UK's second most populated urban area 15 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:09,879 after London and right in the heart of this north-western 16 00:01:09,889 --> 00:01:14,019 metropolis, rising up out of centuries of construction is a 17 00:01:14,029 --> 00:01:15,830 green cloud above the city. 18 00:01:16,489 --> 00:01:19,739 The Castlefield Viaduct Garden is one of the newest sites in 19 00:01:19,750 --> 00:01:24,040 Manchester's skyline. This contemporary urban park reveals 20 00:01:24,050 --> 00:01:27,940 a hidden story of British history, industrial innovation 21 00:01:27,949 --> 00:01:36,279 and community. 22 00:01:36,279 --> 00:01:38,769 JONATHAN SCHOFIELD: Where we are is where Manchester began. So 23 00:01:38,779 --> 00:01:41,419 the Romans come here in AD79. 24 00:01:41,660 --> 00:01:44,510 This is a pretty significant date in its own right because 25 00:01:44,519 --> 00:01:47,610 that's when Vesuvius blew up and killed Pompeii and Herculaneum. 26 00:01:47,970 --> 00:01:50,330 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: Historical tour guide and writer, Jonathan 27 00:01:50,339 --> 00:01:53,500 Schofield has been showing people around Manchester for 28 00:01:53,510 --> 00:01:57,620 nearly 30 years. Today he's starting at the beginning of the 29 00:01:57,629 --> 00:02:02,010 story at the site of the ancient Roman fort'Mamucium'. 30 00:02:02,010 --> 00:02:03,730 JONATHAN SCHOFIELD: The Roman Fort disappeared largely through 31 00:02:03,739 --> 00:02:05,510 industrialization. So there's very little left. 32 00:02:05,629 --> 00:02:09,410 There's this one tiny bit of genuine, genuine Roman fort. 33 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:12,679 What you can see here was a reconstruction of the north gate 34 00:02:12,690 --> 00:02:15,500 of the Roman fort. It would have been a fort that was military 35 00:02:15,869 --> 00:02:17,399 then outside it grew a town. 36 00:02:18,729 --> 00:02:20,500 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: The neighbouring settlement known as 37 00:02:20,509 --> 00:02:24,229 a Vicus, meaning village serves as a home for the soldiers and 38 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:27,910 their families. And it attracts merchants from all corners of 39 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:29,226 the Roman Empire. 40 00:02:29,226 --> 00:02:32,080 JONATHAN SCHOFIELD: I mean they have furnaces, workshops. One of 41 00:02:32,089 --> 00:02:34,259 the earliest evidence of Christian worship found here. 42 00:02:34,699 --> 00:02:37,449 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: Centuries later, the city of Manchester 43 00:02:37,460 --> 00:02:41,389 earned its place in history once more. In the 1760s, it opens a 44 00:02:41,399 --> 00:02:45,139 new transport network that would change British industry, the 45 00:02:45,149 --> 00:02:46,110 canal system. 46 00:02:48,500 --> 00:02:51,479 JONATHAN SCHOFIELD: So you get to the lower end of Castlefield 47 00:02:51,529 --> 00:02:55,199 to where you have the canals because the problem was the 48 00:02:55,210 --> 00:02:56,360 roads were terrible. 49 00:02:56,660 --> 00:03:01,369 That one connected us to the west coast. This one went over 50 00:03:01,380 --> 00:03:04,550 the hills and connected to the navigable river system of 51 00:03:04,559 --> 00:03:06,830 Yorkshire and took you to the east coast. 52 00:03:07,300 --> 00:03:11,789 They would be carrying everything, food, stuffs, raw 53 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:14,380 materials, to manufacture, stuff, everything you can. 54 00:03:14,940 --> 00:03:17,190 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: The next century brings an even more 55 00:03:17,199 --> 00:03:21,130 powerful age of transport with Manchester, right at the 56 00:03:21,139 --> 00:03:22,460 forefront. 57 00:03:22,460 --> 00:03:24,899 JONATHAN SCHOFIELD: But something else happened here 58 00:03:25,020 --> 00:03:29,649 first, which is the Liverpool To Manchester Railway. 59 00:03:29,649 --> 00:03:33,110 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: On September the 15th, 1830, the Liverpool To 60 00:03:33,119 --> 00:03:37,399 Manchester Railway opens for the first time to great excitement. 61 00:03:37,830 --> 00:03:39,720 JONATHAN SCHOFIELD: On the opening day, it begins with 62 00:03:39,729 --> 00:03:44,639 blood, William Huskisson from Liverpool, he doesn't understand 63 00:03:44,649 --> 00:03:49,070 trains and how quickly they move. And unfortunately, he 64 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:50,899 can't get out of the way quick enough and he runs over his leg 65 00:03:50,910 --> 00:03:51,669 and he dies. 66 00:03:52,729 --> 00:03:55,399 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: Despite tragedy. On the first day, the 67 00:03:55,410 --> 00:03:59,589 new railway system is a huge success for the first time, 68 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:03,389 goods and people can travel between two major cities en 69 00:04:03,399 --> 00:04:08,869 masse and at speeds of up to 35 miles or 56 kilometers per hour. 70 00:04:09,679 --> 00:04:13,649 In the following years, railway engineers construct a network of 71 00:04:13,660 --> 00:04:15,479 viaducts across the city. 72 00:04:15,839 --> 00:04:20,019 JONATHAN SCHOFIELD: You've got these ludicrously massive steel 73 00:04:20,029 --> 00:04:22,989 and iron bridges, huge columns. 74 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:26,035 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: And in 1891 construction commences on a 75 00:04:26,045 --> 00:04:32,945 magnificent 17m high, 330m long, steel viaduct built by the same 76 00:04:32,954 --> 00:04:35,765 engineers behind the iconic Blackpool Tower. 77 00:04:35,964 --> 00:04:42,420 This bridge would become known as the Castlefield Viaduct. 78 00:04:42,420 --> 00:04:45,709 Through the 19th and into the 20th century, Manchester's 79 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:48,850 industry grows and its population swells. 80 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:53,220 One former resident who grew up in the city's railway workers 81 00:04:53,230 --> 00:04:57,540 houses in the 1950s remembers what life was like in the close 82 00:04:57,549 --> 00:04:58,170 community. 83 00:04:59,899 --> 00:05:03,540 BEVERLEY SMEE: I came off a family of eight children, plus 84 00:05:03,549 --> 00:05:04,820 my mother's sister. 85 00:05:06,209 --> 00:05:10,929 I'm Beverley Smee. I was born in Dean's Gate. I believe it's 86 00:05:10,940 --> 00:05:14,339 called Castlefield now. And I have very fond memories of the 87 00:05:14,350 --> 00:05:16,029 place. 88 00:05:16,029 --> 00:05:19,720 The house that we lived in only had gas light and that was 89 00:05:19,730 --> 00:05:23,970 downstairs and candle light on the rest of the roof. 90 00:05:25,070 --> 00:05:28,320 There's no such thing as television. So consequently, we 91 00:05:28,329 --> 00:05:31,679 kept ourselves entertained on the street. 92 00:05:31,679 --> 00:05:36,820 Games like hopscotch, hide and seek, tig or draw a snake across 93 00:05:36,829 --> 00:05:38,839 your back. I don't know if you heard that? 94 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:43,279 My elder siblings would come home and say that they'd been to 95 00:05:43,290 --> 00:05:48,130 the wharf, jumping from barge to barge and I always wanted to go 96 00:05:48,140 --> 00:05:51,049 because I thought, oh, that sounds like a wondrous place. 97 00:05:51,290 --> 00:05:57,170 However, we did jump from cart to cart on the horses and carts 98 00:05:57,269 --> 00:05:59,940 which were parked up at the goods yard. 99 00:06:01,540 --> 00:06:04,640 My father worked for the railway and he drove a horse and cart 100 00:06:04,649 --> 00:06:07,790 and his horse was called Mary and we love that horse. 101 00:06:08,170 --> 00:06:10,890 I remember one time it tried coming up the lobby, it was 102 00:06:10,899 --> 00:06:14,880 pulling a cart at the time, they tried to get into the house and 103 00:06:14,890 --> 00:06:16,019 it frightened the life out. 104 00:06:16,230 --> 00:06:19,410 All I could see this massive head around this door. 105 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:26,029 My mother forever complaining that they were slum houses and 106 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:30,450 she was so sorry when we did get moved out of that house that it 107 00:06:30,459 --> 00:06:32,589 was a very, very close knit community. 108 00:06:37,049 --> 00:06:40,019 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: In the 1960s, the viaduct railway system 109 00:06:40,029 --> 00:06:43,760 closes down for good and the Castlefield Viaduct lies 110 00:06:43,769 --> 00:06:45,910 abandoned for 60 years. 111 00:06:47,250 --> 00:06:51,119 For years residents imagined what this hulking derelict 112 00:06:51,130 --> 00:06:54,829 railway viaduct looked after by the Department Of Transport 113 00:06:54,899 --> 00:06:57,779 might be repurposed into to benefit the city. 114 00:06:58,290 --> 00:07:00,950 JONATHAN SCHOFIELD: And then, well, I was part of a campaign 115 00:07:00,959 --> 00:07:06,420 in 2007 where I suggested why don't use it as a garden and it 116 00:07:06,450 --> 00:07:08,980 took a while but seems to be on the way now. 117 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:13,440 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: In 2020 after months of negotiations, 118 00:07:13,450 --> 00:07:17,679 fundraising and paperwork, the National Trust confirms a year 119 00:07:17,700 --> 00:07:21,559 long pilot project that will transform the viaduct into a 120 00:07:21,570 --> 00:07:23,880 free access urban garden. 121 00:07:24,410 --> 00:07:27,720 Here's Duncan Laird Head of Urban Places at the National 122 00:07:27,730 --> 00:07:28,299 Trust. 123 00:07:30,380 --> 00:07:33,559 DUNCAN LAIRD: We drew a little bit of inspiration from other 124 00:07:33,570 --> 00:07:37,720 projects around the globe that have turned redundant heritage 125 00:07:37,730 --> 00:07:42,109 into spaces that people can visit and have a moment of joy. 126 00:07:43,010 --> 00:07:48,070 New York High Line is perhaps one of the biggest projects in 127 00:07:48,079 --> 00:07:51,681 the world that is similar to Castlefield viaduct. 128 00:07:51,681 --> 00:07:56,109 It's an elevated walkway and park within the heart of New 129 00:07:56,119 --> 00:07:56,799 York. 130 00:07:56,799 --> 00:08:00,269 Welcomes millions of tourists a year as well as serving the 131 00:08:00,279 --> 00:08:05,339 local community. So that one I think is a real diamond in terms 132 00:08:05,350 --> 00:08:06,670 of these type of projects. 133 00:08:09,429 --> 00:08:12,450 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: But as the team would find out a big idea 134 00:08:12,459 --> 00:08:16,299 like the Castlefield Viaduct brings big challenges. Here's 135 00:08:16,299 --> 00:08:18,980 National Trust Program Manager, Dympna Gould. 136 00:08:20,269 --> 00:08:23,529 DYMPNA GOULD: This is one of the most ambitious projects for the 137 00:08:23,540 --> 00:08:24,970 National Trust. 138 00:08:24,970 --> 00:08:29,940 In November 2021, all the permissions were in place and 139 00:08:29,950 --> 00:08:31,769 then it was ok, let's go. 140 00:08:31,890 --> 00:08:34,650 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: The work is accelerated by the urgent need 141 00:08:34,659 --> 00:08:37,530 for urban green spaces highlighted in lockdown. 142 00:08:37,979 --> 00:08:43,619 A date is set, July 2022 and in spring work begins. 143 00:08:43,619 --> 00:08:45,479 DYMPNA GOULD: In March, Manchester and Cheshire 144 00:08:45,489 --> 00:08:50,760 Construction came on site and they had literally four months 145 00:08:50,770 --> 00:08:57,270 to take it from the abandoned disused railway viaduct to the 146 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:03,447 wonderful secret gardens. [ 147 00:09:03,447 --> 00:09:06,409 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: Background chatter] As work begins, 148 00:09:06,539 --> 00:09:10,340 Castlefield Viaduct holds a press day inviting people to 149 00:09:10,349 --> 00:09:12,840 walk on the structure for the first time. 150 00:09:16,489 --> 00:09:21,159 The old railway has been taken over by Buddleia plants. A few 151 00:09:21,169 --> 00:09:25,030 empty bottles are scattered around. The strong lattice 152 00:09:25,039 --> 00:09:30,169 ironwork is rusting and flaking. But it's possible to see the 153 00:09:30,179 --> 00:09:32,849 potential of what this site could be. 154 00:09:34,330 --> 00:09:38,130 National Highways manages the UK's disused rail network 155 00:09:38,140 --> 00:09:42,359 tracks. But few of these retired railways get a chance of a new 156 00:09:42,369 --> 00:09:45,590 lease of life. Here's director Richard Marshall 157 00:09:45,690 --> 00:09:47,469 RICHARD MARSHALL: From our point of view of National Highways, 158 00:09:47,479 --> 00:09:51,219 we've got over 3000 structures in our portfolio with the 159 00:09:51,229 --> 00:09:52,859 historical Railways estate. 160 00:09:53,020 --> 00:09:56,369 But this is going to be a signature item, to preserve this 161 00:09:56,380 --> 00:09:58,599 sort of industrial heritage is so important. 162 00:09:59,119 --> 00:10:01,679 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: One resident who's been eagerly anticipating 163 00:10:01,690 --> 00:10:05,210 the opening of the viaduct is Lou Pullan, Vice Chair of 164 00:10:05,219 --> 00:10:07,520 Residents Group Castlefield Forum. 165 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:09,979 LOU PULLAN: And we've been gazing up towards this structure 166 00:10:09,989 --> 00:10:13,059 for about 10 years hoping that someday something would happen. 167 00:10:13,450 --> 00:10:16,549 This is actually the second time I came on to the viaduct. I must 168 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:18,960 add that the first time I cried! Happy tears! 169 00:10:18,969 --> 00:10:21,479 Clearly, there's a lot of ground work to be done. But, you know, 170 00:10:22,070 --> 00:10:23,349 everyone loves a challenge. 171 00:10:23,349 --> 00:10:26,359 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: But not all the locals are so enthusiastic 172 00:10:26,369 --> 00:10:28,479 about having a park in the sky. 173 00:10:28,710 --> 00:10:31,530 GENERIC: No, I wouldn't visit it. Better things to do just, 174 00:10:31,539 --> 00:10:33,659 you know, enjoy myself, play on my Xbox, something like that 175 00:10:33,929 --> 00:10:35,799 rather than look at plants on an old bridge. 176 00:10:36,229 --> 00:10:38,729 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: There's a lot to do between now and July to 177 00:10:38,739 --> 00:10:43,179 give this old bridge a full makeover. Here's Dympna Gould. 178 00:10:43,239 --> 00:10:48,469 DYMPNA GOULD: We had to create a whole new walkway. We couldn't 179 00:10:48,479 --> 00:10:51,609 bring heavy machinery onto the viaduct. 180 00:10:51,619 --> 00:10:56,559 So we had to crane up the event building and these huge 181 00:10:56,570 --> 00:11:00,669 structures which would contain the wonderful planting. 182 00:11:00,830 --> 00:11:03,729 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: And for a Victorian age viaduct, a little 183 00:11:03,739 --> 00:11:07,190 thoughts needed to get it ready for the 21st century. 184 00:11:07,570 --> 00:11:09,830 DYMPNA GOULD: He had these real practicalities, getting 185 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:12,890 broadband up here, electrical supplies. 186 00:11:13,270 --> 00:11:15,890 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: And then there's the staff to consider. 187 00:11:15,890 --> 00:11:18,239 DYMPNA GOULD: People who could take tours, who could talk about 188 00:11:18,250 --> 00:11:21,679 the history, fundraisers, gardeners! 189 00:11:22,719 --> 00:11:27,450 The gardeners didn't get on site till eight weeks before we 190 00:11:27,460 --> 00:11:32,260 opened. I think you'd be looking at two years easily to develop 191 00:11:32,270 --> 00:11:32,500 it. 192 00:11:33,700 --> 00:11:39,030 AMY WATSON: It was black rubble, diggers, kind of a wasteland. 193 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:43,969 I'm Amy Watson and I'm the gardener at Castlefield Viaduct. 194 00:11:46,909 --> 00:11:50,130 It was pretty much a building site that we had to get ready 195 00:11:50,140 --> 00:11:54,659 incredibly quickly because the first stage is the pilot 196 00:11:54,669 --> 00:11:55,229 project. 197 00:11:55,239 --> 00:11:58,929 It's more of a kind of show garden planting. So it's all 198 00:11:58,940 --> 00:12:01,159 very instant. Wow! 199 00:12:01,849 --> 00:12:05,179 We also had all of our partner gardens move in. 200 00:12:05,179 --> 00:12:10,479 Oh, we've had so many existential crises up here! 201 00:12:10,479 --> 00:12:16,929 Growing a container garden on a bridge in 40 degree heat with no 202 00:12:16,940 --> 00:12:19,500 water source was a real challenge. 203 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:24,979 We were schlepping 100L containers of water up and down 204 00:12:24,989 --> 00:12:27,909 the bridge to try and keep these trees alive. 205 00:12:28,190 --> 00:12:32,869 We planted 7000 bulbs with our volunteers. I was so excited to 206 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,619 garden somewhere that didn't have rabbits or squirrels or any 207 00:12:35,630 --> 00:12:41,900 of the usual pests but rats ransacked our plantings. There 208 00:12:41,909 --> 00:12:45,270 have been interesting urban gardening learns for sure. 209 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:50,309 DYMPNA GOULD: In the middle of all that, it landed in the 210 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,929 press, but it landed so well. 211 00:12:54,429 --> 00:12:59,559 Manchester Evening News were on it from the start, The Guardian, 212 00:12:59,570 --> 00:13:03,369 The Telegraph. It just caught people's imagination. 213 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:08,049 But then you have the pressure of that audience from the 214 00:13:08,059 --> 00:13:12,700 Metrolink almost on a daily basis going, "They're wrong I 215 00:13:12,710 --> 00:13:16,369 can see some things happening." So we felt the weight of 216 00:13:16,380 --> 00:13:17,869 expectancy on us. 217 00:13:19,010 --> 00:13:24,150 We opened our bookings to the public a couple of weeks before 218 00:13:24,159 --> 00:13:25,770 the end of July opening. 219 00:13:26,260 --> 00:13:29,229 All the tickets were free. You didn't have to be a National 220 00:13:29,239 --> 00:13:34,239 Trust member and the booking system virtually blew up. 221 00:13:35,409 --> 00:13:38,270 If we've had any complaints, that was probably the point we 222 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:42,080 got them because we do have limitations in terms of how many 223 00:13:42,090 --> 00:13:45,390 people we can have on the site at any one time. 224 00:13:46,390 --> 00:13:50,010 AMY WATSON: Up to the very last moment. It was nerve wracking. 225 00:13:50,150 --> 00:13:53,880 It had been very, very up to the wire. 226 00:13:53,890 --> 00:13:57,570 You know, we were shoving plants and we were getting last minute 227 00:13:57,580 --> 00:14:02,460 deliveries. We were trying to figure out how to keep it alive 228 00:14:02,469 --> 00:14:06,059 in this very hostile growing situation. 229 00:14:06,239 --> 00:14:09,140 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: And then, the day the team has been working 230 00:14:09,150 --> 00:14:11,780 towards its opening morning. 231 00:14:13,140 --> 00:14:16,590 DYMPNA GOULD: We're all waiting on the inside of the gates. 232 00:14:19,599 --> 00:14:23,820 The team have all got the crisp new National Trust uniform on. 233 00:14:23,919 --> 00:14:26,780 It's a gorgeous sunny morning. 234 00:14:27,159 --> 00:14:33,020 We've rehearsed our tours, the gardens look great. 235 00:14:33,020 --> 00:14:38,820 To see a crowd of people on top of the city and clamouring to 236 00:14:38,830 --> 00:14:43,979 get in. It was absolutely momentous. 237 00:14:43,979 --> 00:14:47,890 For all of us on that weekend, there was just one big 238 00:14:47,900 --> 00:14:54,929 collective intake of breath. 239 00:14:54,929 --> 00:14:59,469 Walking up the staircase. I think there's 50 steps in all. 240 00:14:59,479 --> 00:15:02,419 But if you're not great on steps, there is a lift. 241 00:15:02,549 --> 00:15:06,599 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: It's summer 2023, a year since opening day 242 00:15:06,780 --> 00:15:10,229 this morning, Dympna Gould is climbing the metal staircase 243 00:15:10,239 --> 00:15:14,229 from the street below to the top of the Castlefield Viaduct where 244 00:15:14,239 --> 00:15:17,570 she's giving a behind the scenes tour before visitors start 245 00:15:17,580 --> 00:15:18,190 arriving. 246 00:15:18,780 --> 00:15:22,010 DYMPNA GOULD: And then all of a sudden you're above the city. 247 00:15:22,559 --> 00:15:26,530 You can see the Metrolink, the lovely yellow trams whizzing by 248 00:15:26,700 --> 00:15:30,900 and we're at the gates to Castlefield Viaduct and we're 249 00:15:30,909 --> 00:15:31,719 about to go in. 250 00:15:35,500 --> 00:15:39,109 The first thing that they come into is what looks like a 251 00:15:39,130 --> 00:15:42,719 gorgeous green outdoor waiting room. 252 00:15:44,510 --> 00:15:50,250 We've come onto the wonderful stretch ahead of us. So we've 253 00:15:50,260 --> 00:15:55,830 got all sorts of plants and dandelions and you name it, 254 00:15:55,830 --> 00:16:00,280 thriving here where we try and recreate the viaduct as it was 255 00:16:00,289 --> 00:16:02,049 in the 1890s. 256 00:16:03,390 --> 00:16:08,140 And then we move into the secret gardens and proliferation of 257 00:16:08,150 --> 00:16:08,869 green. 258 00:16:09,289 --> 00:16:11,770 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: The walkway leads to a set of distinct mini 259 00:16:11,809 --> 00:16:15,700 gardens. These are partner plots, each carefully designed 260 00:16:15,710 --> 00:16:19,080 and cultivated by local community groups, highlighting 261 00:16:19,090 --> 00:16:21,919 stories from Manchester's past and present. 262 00:16:22,570 --> 00:16:24,489 DYMPNA GOULD: So this is a wonderful organization 263 00:16:24,500 --> 00:16:27,719 called'Sow the City' and on their slot, they have got a 264 00:16:27,729 --> 00:16:28,559 pond. 265 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:33,659 Two ducks waddled on literally days after this plot was 266 00:16:33,669 --> 00:16:38,270 finished and jumped in and had a swim. We call them the via-ducks 267 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:40,039 we've had via-ducklings. 268 00:16:42,130 --> 00:16:44,359 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: Other plots are from'City of Trees' whose 269 00:16:44,369 --> 00:16:47,549 garden showcases a variety of trees significant to 270 00:16:47,559 --> 00:16:48,700 Manchester's story. 271 00:16:48,940 --> 00:16:52,239 There's Castlefield Forum with their sculptural pocket garden. 272 00:16:52,239 --> 00:16:55,940 And Hulme Community Garden Centre with their edible forest 273 00:16:55,950 --> 00:16:56,440 garden. 274 00:16:56,669 --> 00:17:01,299 KATH GAVIN: I wanted the garden to be a really practical example 275 00:17:01,309 --> 00:17:06,300 of how people can grow in small inner city spaces. 276 00:17:06,310 --> 00:17:08,839 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: Here's Kath Gavin on the surprising foods 277 00:17:08,849 --> 00:17:11,260 you can grow in a small urban plot. 278 00:17:11,819 --> 00:17:14,349 KATH GAVIN: This is quite a large planter. It's just over a 279 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:19,290 meter square and it contains what's known as an'apple tree 280 00:17:19,300 --> 00:17:20,119 guild'. 281 00:17:20,290 --> 00:17:25,739 An arrangement of plants that grow well together and makes the 282 00:17:25,750 --> 00:17:28,180 most of a small amount of space. 283 00:17:28,630 --> 00:17:31,770 The ground layer is wild strawberry. 284 00:17:32,439 --> 00:17:36,109 There's also a hardy kiwi growing up the back. 285 00:17:36,189 --> 00:17:41,219 We've got Babington's Leek, which is a perennial leek so it 286 00:17:41,229 --> 00:17:43,010 will come back year after year. 287 00:17:43,290 --> 00:17:46,930 And then in the centre we've got the apple tree and at the back 288 00:17:46,939 --> 00:17:50,050 there's rhubarb. So there's quite a lot going on. 289 00:17:51,140 --> 00:17:54,579 It's worth growing things that are maybe expensive in the shops 290 00:17:54,589 --> 00:17:58,670 as well. So things like soft fruit. Salad leaves are another 291 00:17:58,680 --> 00:17:59,599 really good one. 292 00:17:59,719 --> 00:18:03,880 If you're just adding just a few leaves to your meal every day, 293 00:18:03,890 --> 00:18:12,006 that can make quite a difference to your diet and to your pocket. 294 00:18:12,006 --> 00:18:15,219 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: It's 11am which means it's opening time. 295 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,560 DYMPNA GOULD: So now it's time for us to do what we like doing 296 00:18:18,569 --> 00:18:21,869 best every day. We're going to throw open our gates to the 297 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:24,050 public and welcome them on to Castlefield Viaduct. 298 00:18:27,729 --> 00:18:31,640 GENERIC: This is our third time visiting cos my children are six 299 00:18:31,650 --> 00:18:35,069 and three and they absolutely love it. They love seeing all 300 00:18:35,079 --> 00:18:37,849 the flowers. We just found some mushrooms that we've been 301 00:18:37,859 --> 00:18:41,500 looking at and we've found some snails in the pond as well. 302 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:44,829 I didn't even know it was here and I was born and bred in 303 00:18:44,839 --> 00:18:48,910 Manchester. I just think it's a little oasis in a really busy 304 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:50,079 overbuilt city. 305 00:18:50,329 --> 00:18:52,689 I thought it would be a lot more noisier, but it's quite soothing 306 00:18:52,719 --> 00:18:54,810 here. You could sit here and just listen to the trams and the 307 00:18:54,819 --> 00:18:56,540 trains coming past every day. 308 00:18:56,869 --> 00:19:00,050 And I think for people's mental health, taking the time to go 309 00:19:00,060 --> 00:19:04,520 out, explore new places and just stay away from electronics for a 310 00:19:04,530 --> 00:19:07,010 while is really good. You feel a lot more calmer. 311 00:19:08,030 --> 00:19:11,329 You go to cities like Paris or New York and Paris has got the 312 00:19:11,339 --> 00:19:15,599 Promenade Plantee and Brooklyn's got the, I think it's the high 313 00:19:15,609 --> 00:19:19,339 line and to have something like that in Manchester shows what 314 00:19:19,349 --> 00:19:20,630 sort of city it's become. 315 00:19:20,650 --> 00:19:24,130 I think it's crucial as like a society to have places like this 316 00:19:24,140 --> 00:19:25,989 where people can go to, especially in cities where you 317 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:28,069 don't find a lot of green spaces. 318 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:33,250 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: By 2023 Castlefield Viaduct has cost 319 00:19:33,260 --> 00:19:38,510 £1.8 million from funding and donations that's seen thousands 320 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:40,109 of visitors through its gates. 321 00:19:40,420 --> 00:19:44,270 It showcased dozens of community gardens and run a cultural 322 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:47,060 events program with city skyline views. 323 00:19:47,859 --> 00:19:51,359 Public opinion will help gorge the long term plans for the 324 00:19:51,369 --> 00:19:55,729 Castlefield Viaduct. But could there be a bigger future for 325 00:19:55,739 --> 00:19:59,329 recycling our industrial heritage into something new, 326 00:19:59,339 --> 00:20:01,489 green and socially beneficial? 327 00:20:01,969 --> 00:20:06,060 DUNCAN LAIRD: There's a massive opportunity to repurpose these 328 00:20:06,069 --> 00:20:10,500 historic bits of infrastructure within cities and provide value 329 00:20:10,510 --> 00:20:13,609 to the local communities and local places. 330 00:20:13,724 --> 00:20:17,594 BEVERLEY SMEE: Anything that can preserve any of the beauty that 331 00:20:17,604 --> 00:20:21,905 I remember as a child gets full marks from me. 332 00:20:22,175 --> 00:20:25,505 DYMPNA GOULD: All I can say really is a big thank you to the 333 00:20:25,515 --> 00:20:29,885 people of Manchester Salford and beyond who just come and visited 334 00:20:30,005 --> 00:20:31,844 and fed all their ideas in. 335 00:20:31,854 --> 00:20:35,265 And because of that, we've got confidence going forward that we 336 00:20:35,275 --> 00:20:38,814 will find a permanent future for this viaduct and that makes me 337 00:20:38,824 --> 00:20:39,584 so happy. 338 00:20:52,209 --> 00:20:54,270 MICHELLE DOUGLASS: Thanks for listening to this episode of the 339 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:55,930 National Trust podcast. 340 00:20:56,310 --> 00:21:00,219 The Castlefield Viaduct Sky Park is extending its pilot program 341 00:21:00,229 --> 00:21:04,310 till summer 2024. If you'd like to find out more, visit the 342 00:21:04,319 --> 00:21:08,060 Castlefield Viaduct or donate to the project, please follow the 343 00:21:08,069 --> 00:21:10,239 links in this episode's show notes. 344 00:21:10,810 --> 00:21:13,709 And if you'd like to be updated with every new episode of the 345 00:21:13,719 --> 00:21:16,569 National Trust podcast, please follow us on your favorite 346 00:21:16,579 --> 00:21:19,920 podcast app or you can find all our audio programmes at 347 00:21:19,930 --> 00:21:23,859 nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts 348 00:21:24,359 --> 00:21:27,390 For now, from me, Michelle Douglas. Goodbye.