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Ian LeGros

Ian LeGros Curator RHS Garden Hyde Hall

I joined the Hyde Hall team as an untrained assistant gardener in 1992, was promoted to Garden Superintendent in April 2005 and then to Curator in June 2006. Over the years I have been lucky enough to play a lead role in many of Hyde Hall’s landmark projects including setting out the Farmhouse Garden, the redevelopment of the Queen Mother’s Garden, and the creation of the Millennium Avenue and Wild Wood. Most recently I helped to co-design the new Robinson Garden which was opened in 2007.

  • Date Joined: 12 Jul 2007

Recent Comments

Koi fish

Posted by Ian LeGros on 22 Aug 2008 at 04:29 PM

Regular visitors to Hyde Hall may have noticed that we have lost a number of carp, from the Top Pond, which have died as a result of Koi Herpesvirus Disease (KHV Disease). During this time we have followed the advice of the Environment Agency, Defra and the Centre for the Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), and closed the pond’s water course, and disposed of all the carcases through incineration. Following the confirmation of KHV Disease in the Top Pond a Designated Area Order (DAO) was placed on the site by Defra. The DAO prevents any movements of fish onto or off of the site. There are no implications for human health regarding the KHV Disease and it only affects fish of the carp variety. It spreads rapidly through the water during warmer temperatures and unfortunately there is no treatment or licensed vaccine to prevent or cure possible infections. We have posted information about the situation for visitors.  Our pond is home to other species of fish not affected by KHV and some carp which might be resistant to infection.  We have therefore opted to undergo a 4 year monitoring and testing regime under the supervision of Cefas.  As our pond is a closed system, the infection is effectively contained. However, I’m pleased to say that over the past couple of weeks we have not had any fatalities and the Koi that remain appear to be healthy, so hopefully we are now over the worst. As a precaution all RHS Gardens have ceased accepting donations of fish from visitors, as the introduction of fish from other courses is a potential source of infection

 

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Comments

ajax01 said:

Good afternoon Ian.

I am very interested in your comment

"some carp which might be resistant to infection"

As you have previously said that there is currently no vaccine, could you tell us how these carp might be resistant?

I understand that a British company is close to a KHV breakthrough.

Thanks

on 28 Aug 2008 at 02:26 PM