The Friends of Wentworth Castle Gardens Association ("Association") was established as a voluntary association in 1988 at the prompting of, and with the support from, the Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and the Northern College. The College was, at that time, responsible under the terms of its lease for the upkeep and management of the gardens, grounds and parkland at Wentworth Castle.

The aims and objectives of the Association are to;

1. help preserve the gardens, grounds and monuments;
2. promote and develop the gardens;
3. increase public awareness of and access to the gardens;
4. enhance the value of the plant collections within the gardens;
5. sustain the habitat for natural species of flora and fauna that the gardens provide;
6. safe guard the environmental importance of the gardens.

Since the Association was formed and over the years during which it has successfully operated, the Association has seen membership grow. The Association derives 40% of its income from members subscriptions.

As the proposed renovation works to the Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park has progressed over the years, the Association has developed a significant supporting role that has given regular financial and logistic support for the restoration work.

The activities of the Friends of Wentworth Gardens include:

Fundraising

• Organising together with Silkstone Church the Spring Bank Holiday Open Days.
• Maintaining the membership and obtaining miscellaneous donations and other income.

Promotion and raising public awareness

• Acting as guides for conducted tours of the grounds and gardens.
• Paying the hire costs and manning a stall each year at the Harrogate Flower Show, to advertise Wentworth Castle as a visitor site.
• The production twice a year of The Pollinator, the Association's newsletter.

Educational activities

Organising an annual season of talks and lectures for Association members held at Northern College.

Organising visits for members and guests to heritage sites of interest in the North of England

Grant making

• Making grants for the purchase of plants and equipment for the gardens and for computing equipment and software for plant records.
• Approving small grants and expenditure for other items and activities that promote the Wentworth Castle Gardens.

Other activities

• Supervised voluntary assistance with gardening.
• Providing assistance with setting up the computerised records system

All of the Association's activities are guided and coordinated through the Executive Committee of the Association and its Annual General and other meetings.

Annual Subscription

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Friends of Wentworth Castle Gardens please download and print a copy of the pdf application form (492 kb). Return the completed form, along with the membership fee, to the The Friends Membership Secretary at the following address:

The Friends Membership Secretary
c/o Wentworth Castle Trust
Lowe Lane
Stainborough
Barnsley
S75 3ET

The annual subscription is £10.00 full rate, or £7.00 concessions (OAP, students, unwaged).

If you do not have access to a printer, please contact the Trust Office on 01226 776040 and a copy of the form will be sent to you.