PASSIONATE trustees are calling on residents to support their public gardens in a bid to develop and keep them maintained.
Trustees of the Bocking and Braintree Public Gardens Trust are asking for support from residents of Braintree, Bocking, Halstead, Witham and all the surrounding villages.
The group say it costs more than £30,000 a year to keep the gardens maintained with each pound raised coming from appeals to sponsors and fundraising events.
It means there is no support toward the maintenance costs from government bodies, although three Braintree council councillors have allocated part of their community grants to support nominated projects.
Trustees believe most residents have a great appreciation of the gardens but have no idea of the cost or effort involved in maintaining them.
As a result, they are hoping residents will support their efforts by becoming a member of the gardens.
The concept they are developing is that an individual or family will pay a minimum of £5 per month direct to Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens Trust.
Trustees are currently negotiating with retailers, restaurants, garden centres, coffee shops, and other venues in the hope of offering discounts on purchases to members.
A quarterly newsletter will also be sent to members which will provide details of forthcoming events and gardening hints.
The trust is in talks with local gardening celebrities to provide the “gardening hints” section of the newsletter.
Anyone who isn’t a member would still be able to use the gardens and the trust is also appealing to businesses to become corporate sponsors.
Conrad Yates, whose business CJ Yates Construction sponsors the gardens, said: “We were often taken to the gardens by our parents and now we take our own children there.
“We have many lovely memories over the last 45 years of visiting the gardens.
“We are proud to be corporate sponsors and to offer our services and support in whatever way we can.
Fellow sponsor Greg Mott, from Steve Mott and Co, added: “Our limited green spaces are more important than ever and the gardens need everyone's support.
“I have many happy memories in the park with my children and now my grandchildren too.”
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