STRICTLY Coming Dancing's Tess Daly has spoken about how Rivington will always hold a "special place" in her heart as she backed an appeal to preserve the beautiful terraced gardens.
Tess and Bolton-born presenter Vernon Kay sealed their affection for the historic gardens by sponsoring a piece of the Japanese Garden, as part of the Squarea appeal.
The couple held their wedding reception in Rivington Hall Barn and they are the latest famous faces to sponsor a 'piece' of the gardens to ensure they continue to blossom for others to enjoy for many years to come.
Tess said: “Rivington Terraced Gardens has such a special place in our hearts and we’re delighted to support the Squarea campaign. We’ve received our certificates for sponsoring the Japanese Lake and we’re glad to hear that so many people are coming forward to help to raise the annual maintenance costs for Rivington Heritage Trust.
"It’s such a magical place and the work of the volunteers in recent years has made it look fantastic. If you haven’t already visited this hidden gem in the Lancashire countryside, then it’s a definite must-see."
Now Rivington Terraced Gardens’ ‘Squarea’ fundraising campaign is celebrating the sponsorship of 500 virtual patches of land since the appeal launched in early December 2020.
Rivington by Vicky Naylon
Richard Galloway, a director at Rivington Heritage Trust, says: “The ‘Squarea’ certificates are proving to be a popular gift idea. It’s brilliant that Tess and Vernon have got involved and we’re grateful to all our supporters for getting behind us in a year when covid has made it so difficult for Rivington Heritage Trust and our army of volunteers to fund and keep up with maintenance works.”
Rivington arch by Andrew Coward
Mark Radcliffe, Dave Spikey, Sammy Winward, Steve Royle also 'own a piece' of the gardens. The endeavour aims to raise the required £100,000 annual maintenance costs, which has been difficult this year as the programme of events planned by Rivington Heritage Trust was cancelled during lockdown. The public can sponsor a 10sq m virtual patch of land, ‘Squarea’ in The Japanese Garden, The Italian Lake, The Dell, The Woodlands or The Lawns for just £20. Visit www.rivingtonterracedgardens.org.uk/get-involved/squarea/
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