Ashwood Charitable Trust

The Ashwood Charitable Trust (Registered Charity No. 1190656):

This is a newly formed trust through which all monies from charitable events, donations and any other giving at Ashwood Nurseries will be channelled to the nominated charities. The trust is non-profit making and every penny of the money raised is distributed to good causes.

The trust has two main purposes.

1)  The encouragement and improvement of the science, art and practice of horticulture in all its branches.

2) To advance such charitable purposes (according to the law in England and Wales) as the trustees see fit from time to time by making grants to other charities.

The trustees will select individual beneficiaries to receive grants and/or mentoring who demonstrate a passion and aptitude for pursuing a career in horticulture, prioritising those who would otherwise struggle to do so, whether because of lack of financial means, contacts or experience.

With regard to other charitable purposes, the trust currently has a preference for local and national charities with an emphasis on research and or palliative care. This could include charities providing facilities for care and well-being such as emergency services, local hospices and schools providing facilities for those with disabilities or learning difficulties. Priority would be given to those where funding by government or local authorities is inadequate or totally absent.

Ashwood Charity of the Year 2024:

The Ashwood Charitable Trust has named a local charity Newlife, the charity for disabled children, as the Ashwood Charity of the Year 2024.  Most of  our fund-raising will come from John’s Garden Open Days: part of the entrance fee to John’s Garden at Ashwood Nurseries will be donated to this worthy cause. Read more (including application form)

The Adam Greathead Award:

A unique opportunity sponsored by The Ashwood Charitable Trust for an aspiring horticulturalist to spend twelve months working and learning in two renowned gardens. The successful applicant will spend six months at Great Dixter, East Sussex, the garden of the late great Christopher Lloyd which is now a centre for horticultural education and a huge source of inspiration to everyone who visits.

They will also spend six months at John Massey’s private garden at Ashwood Nurseries near Kingswinford in the West Midlands. John’s Garden is an outstanding garden with a remarkable plant collection and widely acknowledged as one of the finest private gardens in the UK. It has been featured on TV and in the gardening press on numerous occasions. Read more (including application form).

How does the Charitable Trust raise money?

The Ashwood Charitable Trust is supported by part of the admission charges for John’s Garden,  Hellebore Tours, Combined Hellebore Tours, Lectures, Head Gardener’s Masterclasses and private donations.  It distributes money received from these to the Ashwood Charity of the Year and the Adam Greathead Award.

Fundraising to date (January 2023):

• Charity of the Year 2023 Action Heart: £23,365.50  (supported by John’s Garden Open Day admission charge plus private donations)
• The Adam Greathead Award: £12,529.52 (supported by Hellebore Tours, Combined Hellebore Tours, Head Gardener’s Masterclasses and private donations)