The Ancient Fig Garden
in South street Tarring, is a tiny remnant of that which existed
before Worthing Council allowed the break up
and building on much of this
historic attraction.
The local government odbudsman was extremely critical of the council,
but
the damage was done. Like so much else of Worthing's heritage, it was destroyed in the name of
progress! (greed?)
As a sop to it's critics the Council has arranged that the
tiny rump is open to the public for one day a year, on the 1st
Saturday of July.
The Current owners, Mr & Mrs Warner, dressed in period
costume, enter into the spirit, serving teas and scones.
A reminder of the days when the Gardens were a 'must see' for visitors to
Worthing and the house 'Bishops Garth' was used as Tea Rooms.
.
Victorian picture of the Tea Room period, which lasted until 1936
The Garden is reputed by some authorities to have been planted
by Thomas a' Beckett in 1162,
but since there is no proof he even visited Tarring this seems unlikely.
Certainly the Gardens have been here for a long time, probably from cuttings
from the garden of the parsonage
Open to public one day each
year
(normally 1st Saturday in July)
Always check before
travelling
Images from 2002
Note that the Wall and gate posts appear unchanged from the Victorian postcard
above
The trees have grown somewhat in the last 100 years.
A reminder of the Tea Rooms Days, Found in 2002.
Some of the immature figs. Plenty of leaves for Adam & Eve!
The rear of 'Bishops Garth' reputed to be 1745 or older, but built on older foundations
of at least the 1630's
The entrance at the side of 'Bishops Garth'
My Thanks are due to Mr & Mrs Warner who kindly allowed me
access to make this record in early July 2002.
