Willoughbridge Garden Trust to celebrate 60th anniversary with support from Santander

5th Mar 2018
Charities

The Willoughbridge Garden Trust, a charity set up to support the Dorothy Clive Garden in Market Drayton, Shropshire, is celebrating its 60th anniversary and to cater to its growing business it has selected Santander as its banking partner.

nature walks

The Dorothy Clive Garden was first established in 1958 when Colonel Harry Clive, a relative to Richard Clive – a prominent Victorian figure – designed, planted and cultivated a garden for his wife to enjoy when she fell ill to Parkinson’s disease. When Mrs Clive passed away in 1942, the 12-acre gardens opened to the public and the Trust was established eight years later for the enjoyment of the public and to develop, promote and support horticultural education.

Over the past 60 years, the gardens have received some notable donations and grants from the likes of The Royal Botanical Society and Horticultural Society and the Big Lottery. The site has also continued to expand and now includes tea rooms, a play area, a wedding venue and education facilities. In 2017, the gardens received in excess of 24,000 visitors - a testament to the hard work of its employees, volunteers and local community.

Over the last few years, the Trust has invested in its wedding venue and has developed its lecturing facilities as it caters for local demand. For 2018, the gardens will host a series of horticultural and outdoor demonstrations, lectures and workshops including wood sculpting, cookery classes, painting expos and bird watching.

Colin Barcroft, The Willoughbridge Garden Trust, said:

The Gardens have both an incredible history and the potential to educate future generations in horticulture. It’s amazing to secure support from Santander at this key time for us and to help ensure that the Dorothy Clive Gardens continue for many generations to come.

Matt Cliffe, Relationship Director at Santander Business Banking, said:

We’re delighted to be supporting the Dorothy Clive Gardens. The attraction has continued to grow and has become a successful local and regional site of real interest, particularly to horticulturalists. We believe we have the understanding, products and market insights to deliver value-added support for the Willoughbridge Garden Trust.

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