The National Gardens Scheme’s famous Yellow Book, which details the 3,700 gardens in England and Wales that will open for charity this summer, has been published today, for the first time in full colour.
The publication is part of ongoing sponsorship by Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management, one of the UK’s leading private client investment management firms, of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS). Rensburg Sheppards has sponsored the Yellow Book for the past 17 years, helping the NGS raise over £30m for charity during this time.
The NGS is one of the oldest charities in the UK. Since 1927 it has been working with garden owners to open their gardens to the public. Visitors pay a small donation (approx £3) to charity. Last year 750,000 people visited gardens as part of the scheme and the NGS raised over £2.6m for its charities. [A breakdown of these donations is below].
This year’s 750 page Yellow Book features gardens of all sizes, from allotments to estates. Private gardens opening within five miles of the firm’s Gresham Street office include that at 51 The Chase, SW4, the private garden for over 20 years of garden designer Charles Rutherford (open 27 April, 1 May and by appointment), Edwardes Square, W8, one of London’s prettiest secluded garden squares which features serpentine paths by 19th century artist Agostino Agliothe and that of 17a Navarino Road, E8, an established Italian and Japanese water garden reborn under new ownership, which joins the list this year (open 10 April, 19 June and by appointment)
The Yellow Book is a national institution, topping the non-fiction bestseller book charts every year and demonstrating the public’s increasing desire to visit and appreciate gardens whilst helping raise money for charity.
Jonathan Wragg, Chief Executive, Rensburg Sheppards, says: “The Yellow Book is more than just a guide. It is a hugely powerful fundraising tool, treasured by those that buy it and also by those charities that benefit from its sale and the gardens visited. It’s the vital link in the NGS fundraising chain and this why we’re proud to have supported it for the last 17 years. Everyone at Rensburg Sheppards wishes the NGS garden owners, volunteers and visitors a very successful fundraising year.”
George Plumptre, acting Chief Executive, The National Gardens Scheme says: “The Yellow Book is a crucial tool in helping the NGS raise millions for its charities every year and we’re very grateful to Rensburg Sheppards for helping it become a reality each year.
“Despite the pressure on spending that we are all experiencing, we hope the gardens in the Yellow Book 2011 will continue to attract large numbers of visitors and build upon the excellent results of the past.”
Joe Swift, television presenter and NGS President, writes in the Yellow Book “It’s the sense of community, sharing and fun which makes the gardens which open for the NGS so special.”
The NGS has a highly effective fundraising model - from every £1 raised at the garden gate 80p is donated to its beneficiary charities.
Key Features of the Yellow Book 2011:
From allotments and primary schools to stately homes, country houses and even whole villages, the gardens featured in the Yellow Book all guarantee an inspirational day out to help support really worthwhile charities.
Over 600 new gardens are included in the Yellow Book 2011
Average entry price is £3 and under-16s go free into most gardens
2,500 gardens provide the all important tea and home-made cake experience
100 gardens house Plant Heritage Collections
2,300 gardens offer plants for sale
The 2011 Yellow Book costs £9.99 and is available on-line from www.ngs.org.uk and from most leading booksellers.
Distribution of funds raised by the 2010 NGS programme:
The £2.6 million will be donated as follows
£550k will go to both Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care.
£450k Help the Hospices
£350k Crossroads Care
£150k Queen’s Nursing Institute
£150k Perennial (including the Royal Fund for Gardeners’ Children)
£176k National Trust careership scheme
£8k Chelsea Physic Garden.
The NGS Trustees have voted additional donations to joint ‘guest’ charities for the year. Arthritis Research UK (£70k), and The Soldiers’ Charity (The Army Benevolent Fund) - £45k.
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