At the beginning of the year we were looking forward to celebrating the Trusts 25th Anniversary in June. It is 25 years since an appeal was launched to save the Gibberd Garden for the public rather than a private sale. The appeal was successful and the Trust was able to acquire the House and Garden with the help of many donations and the Heritage Lottery. We should be celebrating with the magnificent band of volunteers that have helped to maintain the Garden over that time and ensuring it remained open for the public. Now instead, we find ironically, that the Trust must launch another appeal to maintain the Garden.

In line with Government advice regarding Covid-19 restrictions, the Garden did not open for our Season on the 1st April Whilst we are eager to welcome you back into the Garden as soon as possible, all planned events for the 2020 Season have needed to be cancelled including the celebration of the Trusts 25th Anniversary. This colossal impact on our fund raising activities, such as the CAMRA Beer Festival, Teddy Bears Picnic, music and drama events as well as the usual revenue from open days equates to approximately a £40,000 loss to the Garden between April and September.

Our Trustees have been able to obtain a grant of £10,000 to help cover at least part of the wages of our two part-time gardeners Matthew and John, who continue working safely behind the closed gates (see photograph of them making good some paving).

We desperately need your help to raise the rest and are hoping that you might make a donation to the Gibberd Garden Trust

Any amount that you are able to donate to our appeal will be gratefully received to help pay service charges and secure the wages of our gardeners in full, to ensure the Gibberd Garden continues to survive, grow and thrive, even when we cannot see it for ourselves, so it will be in a fine state when we are able to welcome you back as Sir Frederick Gibberd intended for public enjoyment and education.

This much loved open space is part of Harlow's heritage. Please give whatever you can.