AVONCROFT Museum has launched a new plant centre in a bid to raise an extra £100,000 of much-needed funding this year.
The venue will sell high quality plants, grown by volunteers, to generate the cash.
The Avoncroft Museum Plant Centre will be open on usual museum open days and also on Thursdays and Fridays when the museum is closed.
On these days, the tea room will also be open, although there will be no access to the museum.
The first opening dates for the plant centre will be Thursday and Friday, March 19 and 20 and there will be a number of pop-up weekends where the public will be able to buy plants without paying museum entry.
The new scheme is the brainchild of long-standing Avoncroft Museum volunteer David Beauchamp, who spent his working life running both wholesale nurseries and garden centres – most notably at the multi award-winning David’s Nurseries and Garden Centre in Martin Hussingtree, near Droitwich.
David said: “This initiative is being run by a team of dedicated volunteers who want to raise much needed funds for the museum.
“All profits from the garden centre will go directly to support Avoncroft Museum.”
Through his contacts from working in the trade for many years, local nurseries are also supporting the venture by adding to the range of top-quality plants the museum is able to offer at very competitive prices.
Zoe Willems, Avoncroft Museum director, said: “We are delighted by the enterprise shown by David and the other volunteers.
“With 18 acres across the site, we have wonderful trees and plants – some of which, including the ‘Avoncroft Acers’, have been propagated so visitors can take home a little bit of Avoncroft with them.”
Gardeners and supporters are encouraged to visit the plant centre, spread the word and help Avoncroft Museum grow vital funds for the future.
The venue said every purchase would directly support the museum and its preservation work.
Visit: avoncroft.org.uk and: facebook.com/avoncroftmuseum for more on Avoncroft Museum and the plant scheme.
