The Yellow Book 2012

2012 is a notable year for the National Gardens Scheme on three counts. The charity celebrates its 85th anniversary; it is the 80th edition of its famous Yellow Book listing all 3,800 private gardens that open and it will be distributing £2.6 million to its elected charities.

Joe Swift television presenter and NGS President, writes in the 2012 edition: “85 years of gardens opening to raise money for charity – fantastic!”

The Yellow Book gives details of all the private gardens in England and Wales that open for the NGS and, for the 18th year, the publication is generously sponsored by the investment management company, Investec Wealth & Investment, an Investec Group Company.

Jonathan Wragg, chief executive of Investec Wealth & Investment, says: “We’re really proud that 2012 marks our 18th year of supporting the Yellow Book. Not only does it provide a wealth of information and inspiration to garden visitors, it delivers significant funds for the charities. We are sure that on its 85th anniversary, the NGS is going to have a very successful year of fundraising in 2012.”

The £2.6 million to be donated in 2012 will be allocated as follows:

• £550,000 Macmillan Cancer Support
• £550.000 Marie Curie Cancer Care
• £450,000 Help the Hospices
• £350,000 Crossroads Care
• £200,000 Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI)
• £150,000 Perennial
• £176,000 National Trust Careership Scheme
• £8,000 The Garden Museum

The NGS Trustees have voted for an additional donation to be made to Alzheimer’s Society who will be the guest charity for 2012. This will amount to £150,000.

Last year, the NGS Trustees allocated funds to create a bursary in memory of the popular garden writer Elspeth Thompson. The Trustees will be announcing at the book launch the names of the five community garden projects who will be the first recipients of money from this fund.

The National Gardens Scheme is also delighted to be both Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Cares single biggest ever donor having donated over £13m and £5m to each.

“For every £1 raised at the garden gate over 80p is donated to our beneficiary charities,” explains George Plumptre, chief executive of the National Gardens Scheme. “Ours is a highly cost efficient fund raising model which is made possible by our wonderful volunteers and garden owners. Despite the pressure on spending that we are all experiencing, we are hoping that the gardens featured in the 2012 Yellow Book will continue to attract large numbers of visitors so that we can maintain and build upon the excellent results of the past.”

Key Features of the 2012 Yellow Book

• During 2012 there will be over 7700 separate openings
• Average entry price is around £3.50 and under 16s go free in 2800 gardens
• Over 2,500 gardens provide the all important tea and home-made cake experience
• 80 or so gardens host a Plant Heritage Collection

The Yellow Book 2012 costs £9:99 and is available on-line from www.ngs.org.uk and from most leading booksellers.

To download a PDF version of this press release please click here