I AM in total agreement with Simon Goodenough, former curator of Ventnor Botanic Garden (CP print edition front page, 05-08-22, CP online, 03-08-22).

My sister, daughter and I visited the gardens in June, our first visit since before the first Covid lockdown in 2020. 

On entering we proceeded to locate the dove memorial for stillbirth babies. 

This was so comforting for my late mother to visit, who tragically lost my eldest sister at birth. 

After some searching we found the site near the cafeteria decking in dense undergrowth, minus the dove. 

That was very sad and upsetting to find, a memorial completely forgotten. 

As we walked further round it was plain to see that the once well-kept gardens (when Isle of Wight Council-owned) had deteriorated. 

Not only the gardens, but the main building on the south side, is now looking rather tired and in need of some attention.

Ventnor Botanic Garden means so much to my family. 

My late father was a patient at the former Royal National Hospital for tuberculosis that stood on what is now the main car park.

This site has so much history and it is distressing to now see it in its present state, unloved and unkept.

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