The range of exclusive garden tours run by Perennial through its special events programme will be boosted in 2018 by a new headline sponsorship agreement.

Challenge Fencing is getting behind Perennial to help deliver its exciting line up of events, ensuring more of the profits from ticket sales go toward helping Perennial support horticulturists in times of need.  

The 2018 special events programme includes seventeen bespoke events across the country, many at gardens that are not usually open to the public, offering something for everyone who loves gardens and gardening. Of particular interest are two private tours of Barnsley House celebrating 100 years since the birth of Rosemary Verey and an evening tour of the Windsor Castle Moat Garden. Also featuring is Great Fosters in Surrey designed by Kim Wilkie, the carefully restored gardens of Highnam Court in Gloucestershire and the Long Barn in Kent, a private garden designed by Vita Sackville West.  

Speaking about the company’s support of Perennial, Fraser Ritchie Head of Marketing at Challenge Fencing said: “The business has a long history of supporting local charities but we have been on the lookout for a lead charity that has a close affinity with gardens. So when the Perennial special events programme became available, we jumped at the chance to support the excellent work the charity does in helping horticulturists. We are hoping this will be just the start of a longer term partnership with the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping this sector when times get tough.“ 

Challenge Fencing is a leading supplier of premium fencing, decking, railway sleepers, garden sheds, bespoke log cabins and much more. The company has been under the same ownership for the past thirty years and now has six branches in Surrey, Kent and Gloucestershire, supplying a wide range of stock both to trade and retail customers.  

Chris Crooker, Events Manager at Perennial, said: “We are thrilled to have the support of Challenge Fencing for our programme of special garden tours and events in 2018. This year’s line up is diverse and interesting, offering visitors behind the scenes tours of some of the country’s most beautiful and interesting gardens. Perennial’s history is rooted in the great gardens of Britain and we are keeping those links alive through our annual events programme. All profits from the tickets sold helps Perennial support horticulturists in desperate need of support and through Challenge Fencing’s support this year we can ensure that more of the money we raise goes directly to the people who need it most. On behalf of everyone here at Perennial, thank you very much.” 

Perennial is the only charity dedicated to helping everyone in the horticulture industry and their families. Throughout its history, Perennial has been closely associated with the great gardens of Britain, originally established in 1839 as a pension fund for the retired gardeners of the country’s large estates. The special events programme demonstrates Perennial’s continued support from and partnership with garden owners large and small.  

Perennial relies on donations and funds raised from the UK horticulture industry and the garden loving public to continue its work. The profits from the special events make a valuable contribution towards helping Perennial provide free and confidential advice, support and financial assistance to all those who work in or are retired from horticulture.  

www.perennial.org.uk