The garden’s initial creation lay in Colonel Harry Clive’s wartime decision of 1940, to provide his ailing wife - Dorothy - with a ‘series of interesting walks’ as she battled with Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately Dorothy died in 1942 but Colonel Clive continued work apace throughout the 1940s and 1950s, especially in The Quarry Garden which covers approximately 2 acres. In 1958 management of the then ‘fledgling’ garden was entrusted, by Colonel Clive, to a newly established, small-scale, independent charity – The Willoughbridge Garden Trust. Currently, the ‘Trust’ directly employs a small specialist team of staff to manage the site’s affairs. These core staff members are ably supported by a dedicated group of volunteers who primarily help with gardening, administration and the running of events. It should be noted that the aims of The Willoughbridge Garden Trust are twofold and as follows:
1. To maintain, enhance and further develop a garden inspired by the memory of the late Dorothy Clive to be used for the enjoyment and benefit of the public.
2. To promote and support horticultural education for the continuing benefit of both students and the general public. These twin charitable aims underpin all our ongoing work. They provide a creative, vibrant, motivating and genuinely worthwhile structure for the charity. Both our staff and volunteers are all committed to providing our garden visitors with a stimulating and fulfilling garden trip. Why not come along to support and enjoy this inspiring garden with us?
