Should the Speaker’s Garden - in the moat around Castle Rushen - be used as a garden or reflect its historic defensive purpose?

The issue is being discussed by Castletown Commissioners and Manx National Heritage.

The authority said the area - which now belongs to MNH - has a ’disappointing appearance’ and offered to improve it.

Commissioners’ clerk Hugo Mackenzie explained: ’The town has repeatedly made offers to undertake work in the garden at no cost to MNH in order to improve the environment to residents and visitors to the town.

’Indeed following the recent secret gardens event, several of my board members received feedback about the disappointing appearance of the speakers garden since control reverted back to MNH.’

In response, MNH director Edmund Southworth (pictured) wrote on July 17 that a major conservation study of the area around the castle in 2011 and 2012 ’identified that (the) former moat â?¦ was an important part of the structure and history of the site.

’The glacis is not simply an earth mound but an elaborate fortification in its own right â?¦ whilst part of it has been used as a private garden in the distant past - the area described as the Speaker’s Garden was formed by the demolition of several garrison buildings and stables in 1907.

’As such there is considerable flexibility on how we treat this area and our preference is to reflect the earlier history of the space rather than the 20th century legacy.’

MNH worked with the regeneration committee to improve access to the quayside through the former moat, but it was delayed through lack of funding.

The future of the regeneration committee and funding are still uncertain ’as a consequence we have neither pursued the scheme nor developed an alternative’.

He asked for ’clarity from the commissioners as to whether they wish to pursue funding from government for the original scheme to improve access or whether they would advise us to abandon it totally.’

He added: ’In the interim I am reluctant to invest significantly in planting or other schemes. I can understand the desire to use the space as a canvas for a traditional seasonal flower display - but I don’t feel that’s appropriate for the monument.

’When built, these spaces were kept open to maximise visibility for the defenders and reduce cover for the attackers.

’So to reflect this we are gradually removing the various features which accrued without a formal plan in recent decades.’

The area is maintained by them ’to an acceptable standard’ with ’some weeding â?¦ and new planting’.

’Our current intention is to create an environment which is flexible and sustainable but helps to communicate the story of the ancient monument.’

He is ’happy’ to look at ’whether any elements of the grounds maintenance can be undertaken’ by the commissioners’ workforce.

The authority will discuss Mr Southworth’s letter at its next meeting.