History of the Friends of Treborth Botanic Garden

The Friends were formed in 1997 at a time when the future of the Garden was very uncertain. Funding restrictions at Bangor University meant that opportunities to save money were being closely examined and there was a very real prospect that the Garden would be closed.

The newly formed Friends saw their role as helping to support the Garden with practical help and to offer financial support for specific projects by raising money, mostly through plant sales.

Relationship with Bangor University

The Garden is owned and managed by Bangor University. The Friends maintain excellent working relationships with the Curator of the Garden, and with other University staff.

Governance

The Friends is a charity (no. 1126087) and a company limited by guarantee (no. 6238935). The trustees are responsible for key decision making, strategy, and legal and financial compliance.

The trustees are supported by a number of working groups which deal with operational matters, such as membership, organising plant sales and other events, and the website and newsletter.

  • i) To promote, or assist in promoting, the conservation, maintenance and development of the grounds and gardens and monuments therein at The Bangor University Botanic Garden, Treborth, Bangor in the County of Gwynedd.

    ii) To advance public knowledge of the grounds and gardens, particularly by promoting cultural and educational activities, on behalf of members of the Association, schools, colleges, adult groups and members of the public.

    iii) To preserve, encourage, support and enhance the scientific value of the living plant collections in the grounds and gardens, the habitat they offer for indigenous wildlife, and their environmental importance in the area.

Trustees

  • Sarah Edgar (Chair)

  • Dr. Anthony Howard (Treasurer)

  • Dr. Simon Retallick (Secretary)

  • Teri Shaw

  • Professor John Parkinson

Fundraising

A key activity for the Friends is fundraising and the bulk of funds is raised at the plant sales. There are usually two plant sales in spring and a third sale in the autumn when the Garden is opened under the National Gardens Scheme.

Funds are also raised through special events including visits to other gardens, talks and lectures and from the most welcome donations from members and uninvolved members of the public.

Supporting the garden

In addition to the several thousand hours of volunteer help each year, the Friends also provide specific project help with the projects changing from year to year.

Recent projects include the provision of plant labelling, new interpretation boards, and a large machinery and storage shed.

Newsletters

From the very start, a regular newsletter was issued and, for many members, these form the regular highlights throughout the year. Members receive each newsletter by post or electronically. Each newsletter contains news of the garden together with many unique articles from members and others about gardening, horticultural and botanical topics drawn from experiences across the world.

Friends of Botanic Gardens Forum (FBGF)

We are a member of FBGF, which is a network of botanic gardens in the UK. This Forum was set up to bring Friends groups together to learn from each other's experiences, to support each other and exchange ideas.