Community gardening projects across the region could receive a welcome boost from a new grants scheme, worth up to £20,000, being launched today by the North of England Horticultural Society (NEHS).
The NEHS, organisers of the Harrogate Flower Shows, are inviting applications for grants, ranging from £100 to £2,000, from local groups planning gardening projects or activities during 2012.
Founded in 1911 to provide a showcase for northern growers, the NEHS is a leading gardening charity which already supports more than 50 garden-related organisations. The new NEHS Grants Scheme is an extension of the charity’s mission to promote horticulture across the north of England.
Martin Fish, North of England Horticultural Society Show Director, said:
The proceeds from our annual spring and autumn Harrogate Flower Shows have always gone back to the charity to re-invest in horticulture, and the new NEHS Grants Scheme will enable us to support many more gardening projects and activities across the whole region.
Thanks to the continued support of our many visitors and exhibitors, the shows have grown from strength to strength over the years. We were delighted to report that our 2011 Centenary Year was one of the best on record and that has enabled us to offer additional funding of up to £20,000 for community work in 2012.
The Harrogate Flower Shows, held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, are now Britain’s biggest independent gardening events, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors and over 1,000 exhibitors each year. The next shows will be staged on 26-29 April and 14-16 September 2012.
The Society is inviting grant applications from groups and/or projects based in Yorkshire and Humber, Lancashire, including Greater Manchester, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, Cumbria, Northumberland and the North Midlands (including North Nottinghamshire, North Derbyshire and North Lincolnshire).
Applications will be considered twice a year. The deadline for the first funding round is 5pm on 31 July 2012, with the second ending at 5pm on 30 November 2012. More details about how to apply to the NEHS Grant Scheme can be found at www.flowershow.org.uk/NEHS or contact Deborah Wright on 01423 546216 or deb@flowershow.org.uk. Application forms are also available by writing to North of England Horticultural Society Grant Scheme, Regional Agricultural Society, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ.
