THE historic walled garden at Dean Hall could soon be opened to the public again, as part of an ambitious project to restore the orchard to productivity.

During the Second World War any house with lands exceeding four acres had to have half the gardens dug up and planted for food production.

Before this time the gardens were open to the public and Mr Macer-Wright says he would like to make contact with anyone who may have visited the garden before the war.

He is also keen to get in touch with some of the Land Army girls who helped to plant the orchard.

He said: "When the house was open to the public previously I had two ladies visit who worked on the tree planting, but alas, I have lost their details.

"I should like to trace anyone still alive who may have worked on it, as part of the history of the garden which I am attempting to compile."

According to the deeds of the house, apple trees have been on site since the 16th century.

Don Macer-Wright's father David managed the apple orchard which included varieties such as Cox's Orange Pippins, often hailed as the finest English dessert apple.

Don Macer-Wright said: "Unfortunately the root stocks used were not suitable for the type of soil we have here and the orchard ran out of steam. In the 1970s it went out of production, but my father left a small nucleus of pollinating trees.

"We are planting some local varieties and hope to produce more trees from cuttings taken from the existing trees.

"If we can make a little collection it will keep the continuity of the orchard.

"It is not possible to restore the walled garden to its heyday, but we hope to eventually be able to sell surplus apples as well as other fruit and vegetables in the immediate locality."

The family also plans to restore the pleasure garden in the upper part of the walled garden and the Roman temple site to a suitable condition for public viewing within two or three years.

In the summer the Dean Archaeological Group will be recording a medieval well house within the walled garden.

Mr Macer-Wright has already cleared this well to around 10ft, but plans to empty it to its original depth in hope of dating it.