Moongate repair - Bristol Chinese Herb Garden

The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) is looking to raise £1900 to repair the moongate at the Bristol Chinese Herb Garden. Please help us if you can!

Background to the Bristol Chinese Herb Garden

Founded in 2000 by long-standing RCHM member Tony Harrison, the Bristol Chinese Herb Garden sits inside the Botanic Garden of the University of Bristol. Created through a partnership between the Botanic Garden and the RCHM, it aims to provide a comprehensive living collection of the herbal plants used in Chinese Medicine, as well as give its 30 000 yearly visitors the chance to enjoy an environment akin to a Chinese pleasure garden. Based on the classical gardens of the Suzhou region of China, it uses rocks, symbolic planting and Chinese garden structures, which includes the striking circular moon gate, to compose views and encourage contemplation. Videos co-produced by the RCHM and presenting information from the BCHG, including its peony garden and tea plantation, are available here.

Comprising over 180 species, the RCHM Chinese Herb Garden's collection is used to teach Dispensary and Pharmacognosy to undergraduate students of Chinese Herbal Medicine in both the UK and Ireland, and by qualified herbalists as part of Continuing Professional Development. Also an important means of cultural exchange, the development of the Garden (the only one of its kind in Europe) has been enhanced by its affiliation with a number of university and botanic gardens in China.

Another valuable function of the RCHM Chinese Herb Garden is to aid conservation. As an organisation, the RCHM is very aware of the fact that some plants are threatened in the wild due to their popularity as ingredients in herbal medicine. The RCHM aims to help reduce the pressure on endangered herb species through using the Garden's collection to raise awareness, ultimately hoping to broaden understanding about possible alternatives.

The moongate repairs

The moongate entrance was built in 2000 when the RCHM and the University of Bristol Botanic garden initially became partners in creating this unique collection of Chinese medicinal herbs. It is a landmark feature of the Garden, and gives visitors a lived experience of stepping into a garden steeped in Chinese culture.

The existing moongate is built of bamboo, which, after over 20 years in existence, is now slowly perishing. To reinvigorate the moongate, the RCHM and the University of Bristol are planning to upgrade the material used to solid oak to ensure a long-lasting moongate going forward. The material would match the window constructed as a memorial to Emma Farrant, and would provide a thematic thread through the garden.

The RCHM has received a quotation of £3800 for this work, and as partners, the RCHM and the University have agreed to fund half each. We are looking to raise £1900 - and are proud to be the ones to preserve the entrance to this great treasure to pass on to future generations of herbalists and botanists alike.

Any funds received over this amount will be used to support further projects within the Bristol Chinese Herb Garden. Many thanks for your support.