Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council – their Role
At the outset of this Project Ann MacDonald, Manager of the Council’s Landscape & Ecology Department agreed with the Friends of Danesbury Local Nature Reserve that if the volunteers would commit to clear the site and subsequently maintain it, then her Department would give them all the encouragement and support needed to make it a success.
At key moments in the life of the Project the Borough Council have provided specialist help from contractors. This has ranged from:
- poisoning invasive tree roots that were threatening the integrity of the rock work,
- providing mechanical diggers to help shift the 24″ depth of spoil which was found to be covering much of the site,
- uncovering major paths and irrigation systems which the volunteers would have taken years to discover for themselves,
- facilitating Government grant moneys which in 2020 paid for the purchase and installation of the bridge and restoration of the original metal fencing.
The Borough Council have budgeted to pay expenses of £1000 p.a. to the Friends of Danesbury to cover incidental expenses, which are evidenced by receipts.
After the payment of expenses, all funds managed by the volunteers go towards the development of the Danesbury Fernery Project.
Awards and Donations – Local Societies and Groups
The Friends of Danesbury Fernery (FODF) have received generous awards from local groups including the Welwyn Festival Committee, The Welwyn Wailers, The Welwyn Gardening Club, the Welwyn Allotments Society, and others.
Additionally, the Project has benefited from generous contributions from private benefactors.
Welwyn Festival – Open Gardens
The Fernery was open in the summer of 2017, 2018 and 2019. This produced a welcome source of income from the sale of refreshments. (The ‘gate moneys’ were for the direct benefit of the Welwyn Festival Committee’s fundraising for local charities). But we were not able to ‘Open’ the Garden in 2020.
Talks to Horticultural and related Societies and Groups
By invitation, we have regularly been giving illustrated talks that have produced a welcome income, but sadly this has been prevented since the start of the Covid-19 Lockdown.
Become a Benefactor?
The Project has benefited from generous contributions from private benefactors.
Please contribute too by making an online donation to:
Payee: Friends of Danesbury Fernery (FODF)
Sort Code: 30-98-97
Account Number: 66874760
- Reference : your name
So that we properly acknowledge your generosity, please also confirm your donation by emailing your name to:
Thank you.