The Tatton Garden Society (TGS) has received £92,300 from The Julia Rausing Trust to support improvements at the Lovell Quinta Arboretum in Swettenham, near Congleton.
David Skidmore, chairman of TGS, said: “We are extremely grateful for this generous grant which will be used to increase our planting, providing more interpretation boards, improving the entrance, having a temporary classroom and improving our ‘Silent Space’, a dedicated quiet area.
“The Julia Rausing Trust makes its own selections for beneficiaries, so as a small charity it’s been an honour to be included in such august company as York Minster and the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
“Part of our aim as a society is to provide education about arboriculture, and it’s exciting to be able to invest in some facilities to help support this.”
(Image: Supplied) The arboretum was originally created by Sir Bernard Lovell and is now home to three National Collections of trees, as well as many rare and unusual species.
TGS has managed the site since 2003, supported by a team of volunteers.
The grant is part of a wider £16.7 million award made in 2024 by The Julia Rausing Trust, which supports projects across the UK that benefit society.
(Image: Supplied) The Trust, established by philanthropist Julia Rausing who died in 2024, specifically aims to support a mix of larger institutions and smaller regional organisations.
Julie Byrne, curator of the Lovell Quinta Arboretum, said: “Work has already begun, with improvements to the entrance and a new main entrance sign in place.
“We’re currently working on a new set of interpretation boards to help visitors understand this beautiful and special place.”
(Image: Supplied) Tatton Garden Society is a registered charity founded in 1962 to promote education in horticulture and botany through events and research.
The arboretum is open to the public and offers educational opportunities for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
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