Local community gives boost to Hopwood Hall Estate project

Two new grants and community donations have been received by Hopwood Hall Estate as a result of the tireless efforts of the volunteers who are helping to rescue the historic building.

Over the past six months, a passionate team of gardeners have been working steadily to try to reverse three decades of neglect in the grounds. They are making great progress and the positive improvement has been very encouraging for the future of the hall.

As a result of their efforts, Hopwood Hall Estate has been awarded the maximum grant of £1,000 by the Auto Trader Community Fund issued by Forever Manchester. This will provide the volunteer gardening team at the Hall with a garden storage shed and good quality tools.

Key to gaining the Auto Trader Community Fund support were projects which demonstrated that they are powered by grassroots community organisations; small, community-based and locally controlled groups that manage themselves.

A further ‘call out’ for local second-hand gardening tools for the estate has seen an incredible response and donations continue to come in.

 

 

Hopwood DePree, a descendant of the Hopwood family who used to own the hall, said: “The garden project at Hopwood Hall Estate has been a revelation – so many amazing volunteers, part of our ‘Hopwood Foundation Friends’ have been transforming the grounds, through all weathers and all restrictions due to Covid-19. 

“I couldn’t be happier, and it is one way in which we can all see things happening quickly which is a huge boost to everyone.  The fabric of the hall will take time to repair, due to the precious nature of the materials and in full accordance with listed building requirements as the hall is on Historic England’s At Risk Register.

“But the garden work has been able to continue apace, and the project is now reaping the rewards of that.”

He added: “Many of the volunteers live alone and others struggled with the Covid-19 situation. 

“They said that they hugely valued getting out, taking exercise and fresh air, meeting people and seeing the fruits of their labours blossom in the hall’s gardens. This impressed the judges at Auto Trader and gaining their assistance means a great deal to me and the team; we are thrilled.

“Before the grant, the volunteers were carrying out the garden work using their own tools and the group was very much in need of some specific items to help with such a big job.

“This grant will enable the project to take a big leap forward and the tools will now be readily available as we jump back into it next spring.”

 

 

In addition, a £500 grant from the Volunteer Celebration Fund – Action Together has been awarded to the project.

Hopwood added: “Our application to the Volunteer Celebration Fund – Action Together, was to enable us to organise a special open day at Hopwood Hall Estate to reward the incredible volunteers by acknowledging their achievements with a special event.

“Now that gatherings are being allowed to return to normal, we are looking to host it later this year.

“We want to ensure that our volunteers know how much they are appreciated and to encourage others to join us in the adventure.”

More details on how to participate in the Hopwood Foundation Friends can be found here.