A 'piece' of the beautiful historic Rivington Terraced Gardens could be yours this Christmas

Despite Rivington Terraced Gardens attracting thousands of visitors this year, the trust has faced one of its most challenging years as Covid restrictions has meant the tens of thousands of pounds needed to maintain the area could not be raised.

Now, inspired by the public's new found appreciation of the great British outdoors, trustees are inviting people to sponsor an area of the gardens.

Money raised will ensure the gardens continue to blossom after lottery funding restored the gardens, once home to Lord Leverhulme, to their former glory.

The trust depends on events to bring in money to maintain the gardens, but because of covid they have had to be cancelled.

Blue skies at the Rivington Terraced Gardens Pigeon Tower by Angela Bloor

(Picture by Angela Bloor)

Based on the sponsor a brick idea, the trust has launched a new 'Squarea' campaign in which individuals and businesses can pledge £20 to sponsor a 10m x 10m virtual patch, that will help towards the annual maintenance costs, which are over £100,000 per year. Each Squarea sponsored will help towards upkeep of The gardens for the next five years.

The gardens are spread over 20 hectares (200,000 m2) and fans of the area can pledge their support to the Italian lake; the Japanese garden; the dell; the lawns; or the woodlands. There are over 20,000 ' patches' on offer.

Pigeon tower at Rivington by Ray Platt.

(Picture by Ray Platt)

Sponsors of each Squarea will receive a personal certificate confirming their commitment to the gardens. Ideal as Christmas gifts or as a lasting legacy for people who love the area, the initiative allows people to invest in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Richard Galloway, a director of The Rivington Heritage Trust, says: "Through the recent restoration project, with the assistance of our band of fantastic volunteers, we have uncovered so many natural and architectural features, some not seen for over 50 years.

"It's brilliant to be able to share them with people not only from Lancashire and the surrounding areas, but from the rest of the UK too, as we build a reputation as one of Britain's finest secret gardens."

He added: "There is clearly lot of emotional involvement in the gardens, what I like is you have the locals who can visit everyday but you can be talking to people, who no longer live in the area, they still have this association with the gardens.

"People have started sponsoring for other people because their friends or relatives have an association with the area, and others are buying for themselves."

Squarea plots can be ordered online at www.rivingtonterracedgardens.org.uk/get-involved/squarea/