New status will allow project to access resources to sustain and broaden scope of work

Created in November 2005 with the aim of preserving the walled gardens in the grounds of Chiswick House, the Chiswick House Kitchen Garden project has now become a registered charity.

The aims remain as they always were:

‘for the benefit of the public, to regenerate, cultivate and conserve the Walled Gardens, also known as The Kitchen Garden, within the grounds of Chiswick House’ and the yard and greenhouses.

‘to educate local schoolchildren, other young people and the wider public through active involvement in conservation of the environment and the protection and management of The Kitchen Garden’

‘to conserve and maintain for the benefit of the public The Kitchen Garden as a site of historical importance and interest.

Jo Rabin, Chairman of the charity, commented ‘Our decision to register reflects our continuing growth and increasing maturity as an organization. Being a registered charity will allow us access to resources that will help to sustain and broaden the scope of our work.’

Karen Liebreich, Project Co-ordinator and founder of the project, noted, ‘The only real difference has been a sudden wave of junk mail from banks and consultants offering to help us deal with our new-found status. But we have grown organically into this, just as the garden has, so we are just shredding the letters and using them for compost.’

Over 1,000 children a year work in the gardens during school visits. 60 regular volunteers keep the gardens looking good, and others can drop in to work on Tuesdays (10-3 pm or on the first Sunday of the month (1-5pm). For further information, see www.kitchengarden.org.uk.

July 15, 2008