Blackfriars
Preaching Cross, Priory and Rose Gardens
The Rose Gardens
A Rose Garden was first laid out in the grounds of the Priory in 1964 when 100 rose trees were donated
by the Hereford & West of England Rose Society to mark its centenary. The Kansas City Rose Society in America also played a
big part, contributing to the rose fund.
In the past the gardens were tended with pride by the Herefordshire Council Parks, Countryside and Leisure Services.
However, with the decline of public sector funding, volunteers have had to step in to restore the garden to its past
glory.
The Friends of Blackfriars Rose Gardens on Widemarsh Street have recently completed a year long project with the
clearing of 18 beds and the replanting of 280 new roses.
From The Worcester News 23rd June 2019
Friends of the Rose Garden were joined by the Mayor of Hereford, councillor Kath Hey when the
project was complete.
She said: "Through the group's hard work and successful securing of grant funding, there is now a strong and committed
band of volunteers planting and caring for the beds.
"The City Council Grants Committee are thrilled that our funding has been so beneficial to the restoration of such a
wonderful historic site in the heart of the city."
Ann Harbour, leader of the project, said: "It is wonderful to see the Blackfriars Rose Gardens once again in full bloom and
free of weeds thanks to the generous donors, volunteer gardeners, and community service workers."
Blackfriars Preaching Cross
Hereford Blackfriars is an important religious site with a rare example of a preaching cross. The 14th century Grade II* Scheduled Ancient Monument is the "only surviving example of those erected by the friars in their cemeteries" - Sir Nikolaus Pevsner.
The Ruins of the Priory
Today, the only standing parts of the original monastic buildings are those of the western range of the prior's refectory and a section of the wall of the cloisters to the east.
