national garden scheme tree planting Latest News
On 24th November 2006, The Dartington Hall Trust is delighted to be hosting a tree planting ceremony to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Gardens at Dartington Hall first opening to support the National Gardens Scheme (NGS).
Taking up spade-handling duty will be recently appointed NGS President Zac Goldsmith. As well as being an internationally respected campaigner on environmental issues, Zac is the director and editor of The Ecologist Magazine and the man charged with turning David Cameron’s Conservative Party from blue to green.
In 1925 when Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst began their great experiment in rural regeneration at Dartington, part of their vision was the creation of a garden on the estate, a garden that would value the works of previous generations. The garden they created, working with inspirational designers such as Tipping, Farrand and Cane, adorns the landscape rather than competing for attention. It is to recognise Dartington’s long-standing and on going commitment to this unique charitable organisation, that the NGS is presenting a Green Beech to the Gardens.
Since it’s foundation in 1927, the NGS has raised over £20 million for charity. In excess of 1000 charities benefit from the NGS’ work include Macmillan Cancer Relief, Marie Curie Cancer Care, The NGS gardeners' bursaries (National Trust), Help the Hospices, Crossroads Caring for Carers, The Queens Nursing Institute, The Nurses Welfare Society, Perennial - Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Society and The Royal Gardeners Orphan Fund as well as hundreds of local charities nominated by individual garden owners.
Kate Caddy, a Dartington Hall Trustee and grand-daughter of Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst comments:
“My grandfather was a true advocate for rural reconstruction at a time when it certainly wasn’t part of mainstream thinking. He was also keen to share Dartington's beauty and its innovations with the wider world. When Leonard was asked if the Garden that he and my grandmother had created here at Dartington, would open for the NGS, he was more than happy to support their cause. I am sure that both my grandparents would be delighted that, 60 years on, the link between Dartington and the NGS is still so strong.”
The new tree will be sited in a dominant position, taking the place of a 250 year old Beech that suffered major root damage and had since been in terminal decline.
Edward and Miranda Allhusen, National Gardens Scheme County Organisers for Devon, comment
“140 gardens will open for the NGS next year contributing over £80,000 to the beneficiary charities. They range from small cottage gardens through large private gardens to many of the county's great historic gardens. Foremost among the latter is Dartington and, on behalf of all the beneficiary charities, we express our heartfelt thanks for six decades of generous and continuing support and for the enthusiasm of the trustees and the volunteers who organise the publicity and assist on open days. The NGS is delighted to present a Green Beech tree to Dartington Hall Gardens to commemorate this long and fruitful association.”
The tree planting will take place at 3:30pm and will be followed by a reception in the dining room of the White Hart. Attendance is by invitation only.
For further information, please contact:
Dan Coxon, Communications Officer, The Dartington Hall Trust
Telephone 01803 865670 | Mobile 07939541359 | Email d.coxon@dartingtonplus.org.uk
The Dartington Hall Trust is a registered charity no. 279756. Company no. 1485560
Registered Office: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL United Kingdom.
Telephone 01803 847000; Fax 01803 847007;