What does becoming a Supporter/Friend of the Gardens mean?

By becoming a Supporter of the Gardens,  you can help keep this beautiful public space free for the community to enjoy.

Contrary to popular belief, the Jewel in the Crown of Braintree and Bocking’s amenities – No support towards this cost is received from local or central government, the Public Gardens receives no public funding.

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!! We’re looking for your support. 

Trustees will be re launching the opportunity to become a “Supporter of The Gardens”, in place of  The Friends of The Public Gardens. The Trustees are appealing to the residents of Braintree, Bocking, Halstead, Witham and all the surrounding villages to lend their support to help with the maintenance and development of the gardens. The maintenance cost of the gardens is in excess of £40,000 per annum. Every pound spent is raised by the Trustees from appeals to our Corporate Sponsors and the organising of  fund-raising events.

No support towards this cost is received from local or central government, although three councillors (B D C) have allocated part of their respective Community Grants to support nominated projects.
We believe the majority of local residents have a great appreciation of the gardens, but have no idea of the cost or effort involved in maintaining them.
The total area is around five acres and there are more than 200 trees, many of which are of native origin, planted in the gardens. Sydney Courtauld, who entered the family’s famous silk-weaving business in 1870, donated land from his garden as a gift to the town’s people.
We are hoping you will support our efforts by becoming a
“Supporter of the Gardens”
The concept we are developing is an individual / family will pay a minimum of £5.00 per month direct to Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens Trust bank account. We are currently negotiating with local retailers, restaurants, garden centres, coffee shops, etc to offer discounts on purchases to Members, we shall also circulate a quarterly newsletter to Members which will provide details of forthcoming events and gardening hints. We are in discussion with local gardening celebrities to provide the “gardening hints” section of the newsletter.

The Gardens currently run at a deficit of from £10 – £15,000 each year.

This has to be up made up from fund raising activities by the Trustees and The Friends Committee. The Christmas Raffle, The Little Legs Festival,  Family Fun Days, Open Air Cinema, Concerts like Rock in the Park,  Collections at the Bocking Brass Band Concerts, Supper parties, Quiz evenings and also our Corporate Sponsors. Etc, all play their part.  Along with the local community supporting these events.

More information

Do you have questions about becoming a Supporter of the Public Gardens?

Please get in touch if you would like more information,  or if you’d like to support the gardens as a corporate sponsor, or in any other way.

CONTACT US

Alan Payne
Tel: 01376 773066
or message us on Facebook.  Many thanks.

Trustees :
Alan Payne
Mark Cornell
Sue Pertwee
Vanessa Santomauro
Anthony Pritchard
Steve Beckett
Vince. Eade
Belinda Littler
James Beaty
Mandy Dodson

Registered Charity 212989

Volunteering in the Gardens

If you feel able to give some time to working in the Gardens, you will be more than welcome.

If you would like more information on becoming a Supporter of the Gardens please submit the form below or :

Contact:
01376 773066
Leave a message below
or message us on our Facebook page.
Many thanks.

6 + 7 =

Anyone for Tennis?

Enjoy an exciting game of tennis on one of our hard courts. They are set within our relaxing gardens and are  available to hire 7 days a week and cost just £6.00 per hour. If you would like to book a game please visit our Tennis Booking Page

Tennis anyone?

Contact and Maps

Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens are conveniently situated in the North of the town. There are plenty of car parks nearby and are just a few minutes walk away.

Visit

Visit our Wildlife Hide

The Hide has been financed from a Generous Grant by Essex Community Foundation. A water scrape has been constructed, and berry bearing shrubs planted. An old tree stump acts as a support for bird feeders. This has been generously paid for by … more

Visit

Did you know?

The Gardens were presented to the inhabitants of Braintree and Bocking on the 28th of November 1888 by Sydney Courtauls of Bocking Place and his wife Sarah Lucy Courtauld.