This year has seen unprecedented events worldwide, and as we look to plan a path for the future of Burnby Hall Gardens we are reaching out to our visitors and the Pocklington community help to keep that future a bright and secure one.

The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has been widely felt, and for us, in particular, the loss of income during 10 weeks of lockdown is a difficult burden to bear. The lockdown period fell at a time when traditionally our members would be renewing annual passes, and not surprisingly, the uncertainty of the leadup to lockdown saw the numbers of membership renewals fall dramatically. This, added to the cancellation of our hugely popular brass band concerts, weekly children’s activity days, evening theatrical performances, and our annual Tulip Festival adds up to a huge loss in income for the Gardens during 2020.

We are open once again and hugely grateful to the visitors and members who have begun to return to the Gardens and we have taken extensive measures to ensure that all visitors and staff feel safe, secure and have suitable space to enjoy their day without feeling crowded. This limiting of numbers, however necessary, also contributes to a lowering of our income and the adjustments we have put in place will need to remain for the foreseeable future.

Crowdfunding is an option that has taken great consideration, and one that we feel will hugely impact on our ability to continue to provide our visitors and the Pocklington area with the high standards of safety and quality in the beautifully maintained surroundings that we have all become accustomed to. Any donations will support the maintenance and upkeep of the Gardens over the next few months and will allow us to ensure that our horticultural excellence is maintained and our planned future projects can continue so we can provide a vital and much loved green space at a time when events make it feel so needed and appreciated.