School donates to Horticap

Staff and students at popular charity Horticap have been given a boost during the current lockdown thanks to Harrogate school Belmont Grosvenor.

Pupils, parents and teachers at the independent prep school, based at Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, chose Horticap as its charity of the year last year.

The pandemic meant Belmont Grosvenor’s packed calendar of fundraising activities had to be put on hold, but the school was still able to organise a number of online and small-scale events and managed to raise £500 for Horticap.

The money will be put towards the fit-out of the new café/kitchen at the charity’s Bluecoat Nursery site on Otley Road, Harrogate. Work began last year on a major redevelopment of the Horticap site, increasing by five-fold the size of its premises.

Phil Airey, Operations Director at Horticap, said he was delighted to receive the money from BGS – and pledged to put it to good use when the Horticap café opens for business later in the year.

“We have a very special relationship with Belmont Grosvenor School, and are grateful to receive this cheque.

“It’s been a particularly difficult time for us during the Covid-19 pandemic and this money will be put to good use.

“Eight years ago, when we opened our original café at Horticap, it was thanks to the fundraising efforts of Belmont Grosvenor School pupils. We hope they will come up and see our new development just as soon as we can open,” he said.

Belmont Grosvenor School, along with its Magic Tree Nursery, is set in 20-acres of grounds and welcomes children from three months to 11 years.

Kristin Klauser, Chair of the BGS PTA, said: “Our fundraising efforts were heavily disrupted last year but as a school community we were keen to do what we could to help Horticap carry on with its redevelopment.”

Mrs Klauser added: “We really value the education the charity provides to adults in the community with learning and other disabilities, and look forward to being able to support Horticap at their nursery and tea room whenever possible.”

Every Christmas, staff and students from Horticap come to the school and run wreath-making workshops with the children using foliage collected from the school grounds. This year was a little different – and the workshops were run via zoom but were a great success.

Said Mr Airey: “We’re hoping to be back at Belmont Grosvenor School and run the workshops in person this year.

“Staff, pupils and parents at Belmont Grosvenor have been so supportive of us over the years, we love spending time at the school.”