This year we are sponsoring the Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens Trust for the first time.
Opened in 1888, the Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens were a gift from the Courtauld family to the people of Braintree. It costs around £30,000 a year to keep the gardens open and provide access throughout the year to the public. Funds, to meet the costs of upkeep, are raised through donations from the general public and local businesses and from a range of fundraising events held in the gardens.
To thank Sponsors, the Gardens Trust held a drinks & canapes evening on 30th May 2019 at Braintree Town Hall, to which Margaret and Antony went. We met several local business people and chatted for a long time to Julian Courtauld who is the Chairman of the Trust. He gave us a fascinating insight into the history of Braintree and of the Courtauld family. We also chatted at some length with James Cleverley - MP for Braintree.