Grants for Community Groups

Established over 25 years ago, Avon Gardens Trust is part of a national network of county gardens trusts.

Besides having a particular interest in the conservation and enjoyment of historic gardens and public parks, county gardens trusts are also keen to promote the importance of outdoor community spirit  through the development of gardens in communal spaces.

Avon Gardens Trust is keen to encourage communities in the former Avon area develop their local area communal spaces. Applications are invited from communities in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire for small grants to help them purchase plants or gardening equipment.

Download an Application form for Community Groups here (.doc)

 

Bev Knott, Chairman of Friends of Bishop’s Knoll Wood, with a new information board featuring AGT logo
Bev Knott, Chairman of Friends of Bishop’s Knoll Wood, with a new information board featuring AGT logo

Previous Community Grants

Appeal – Hanging Gardens at Crews Hole, Bristol

A wood in the heart of Bristol is up for sale with the prospect of development. Part of the woodland was once a formal garden and there is a historic bathhouse abutting the property but not part of it. This historic woodland was featured in early AGT Journals with articles by James Russell on the ‘Hanging Gardens of Crews Hole’ and the associated Bath House. The woodland in front of the Bath House, including the garden…

Horticulture course in Bath

New horticulture courses at The Urban Garden, Bath starting September 2023. Gardening can boost our mental health If you are struggling with your mental health and/or are on a low income you can sign up for our courses in practical horticulture starting in September. You will learn a variety of gardening techniques in a professional environment while feeling good at the same time. Level 1 City & Guilds in practical horticulture Starts Wednesday 13th September…

AGT at NGS gardens open days

Avon Gardens Trust are having a stand at a few National Gardens Scheme (NGS) ‘open gardens’ in 2023. Please come and visit us and see some wonderful gardens – all in aid of the NGS charities. Saturday 27th May 2-5pm – The Hayes, Newton St Lowe, Bath. BA2 9BU. [39] 1 Acre garden on the edge of Dutchy of Cornwall village. Herbaceous borders and formal lawns and terraces, informal garden trees and long grass, bulbs…

Organic Gardening

As part of the Soil Associations Organic September, Yeo Valley are hosting a number of inspiring and influential speakers in their meadow yurt. Topics to get your pulse racing include: Charles Dowding asks To Dig or Not to Dig? Anton Rosenfeld, Garden Organic supported by North Somerset talks all things compost. Chris Smith, Pennard Plants. Talks pests and diseases and how to get your own back the nature friendly way. Fiona Haser Bizony, Electric Daisy Flower Farm.  Thanks…

Urban Garden Opening in Bath

There is a new garden centere opening in Victoria Park, Bath on the site of the old B&NES Council Nurseries. This is a community led project and the plants are great quality. The aims of the Urban garden are sumarised – We are part of Grow Yourself, an established Community Interest Company (CIC), which for the past 5 years, has been helping young people get back into work. Our profits fund a programme of horticultural therapy…

Garden Museum Fundraising Swim: September 2020

The Director of the Garden Museum, Christopher Woodward, is planning an epic fundraising swim, aiming to raise £100,000 towards the £270,000 shortfall of funds needed to save the museum.  We spotted their cry for help and were eager to support this worthy endeavour. Within a day or so, our committee had unanimously agreed, by email, that this was a fantastic cause that we must contribute towards, and approved a donation of £500. Based in the…

William Champions Garden at Warmley

Statue of Neptune at William Champion garden at Warmley

The Garden in Warmley, South Gloucestershire, was originally created by the 18th century industrialist William Champion. It is designated Grade II on the UK Parks & Gardens Register and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, together with Champion’s brass mill, which houses Kingswood Heritage Museum, and his original pin factory, known as the Clock Tower. The Garden contains a number of historic 18th century features that are all listed Grade II: The Grotto, Statue of Neptune,…

Explore Warmley Gardens and Grotto

Warmley garden

Explore the Warmley gardens and grotto on a guided walk, every 2nd Sunday in the month (April to November), starting from the Museum at 2.15pm, fee £3.00 per adult. This circular walk will take approximately 90 minutes on level ground, some of which may be muddy in wet weather. Bring a torch to help you explore as you wander through the grottoes, which will be specially opened for you by your guide. For more information…

Grant for restoration of the Cascade in Bath

Cascade, Bath Botanical Garden

Avon Gardens Trust award grant towards the restoration of the Cascade in the Botanical Gardens in Royal Victoria Park, Bath The Cascade in the Botanical Gardens in Royal Victoria Park Nursery was historically supplied with fresh water that ran into the park from the golf course and the area around Camden Crescent. This source was stopped by Wessex Water when the water was found to be causing flooding to basements in Lansdown. It was later…

The Elms, Nailsea – a lost garden

Edwardian garden, The Elms, Elms Colliery

Avon Gardens Trust is working closely with the Heritage Team at North Somerset Council to remove The Elms Colliery, also known as Middle Engine Pit, in Nailsea, from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register. The site is on the Register due to the risk of vandalism and further decay and the Council, who own the site, now want to restore the site so that the public can access the site. Middle Engine Pit dates to…

Tortworth Forest Centre

Rug making craft at Tortworth April 2018

TORTWORTH FOREST CENTRE – AN UPDATE Grey clouds for their April Open Day did not deter families, especially those with young children, from coming out to enjoy the space. Space with activities, forest trails, the goats to talk to and a big cook pot with a delicious stew cooking on the camp fire. Rebecca Cork and her helpers had put together a fun day. Dating from the 1890s Tortworth it is an important heritage site….

Blaise Community Garden

Victorian Greenouse in 2013

Blaise Community Garden Avon Gardens Trust has made an award of £1,200 to help with the restoration of a Victorian greenhouse in Blaise Community Garden. This walled garden was originally the garden for Blaise House but since then had been used by several organisations including Bristol City Council to grow bedding plants and Cannington College teach students about horticulture. For ten years, the garden was in disuse but in 2013, the Friends of Blaise and…