Harrogate horticultural charity hosts special 50th anniversary celebration for long-standing supporter

Horticap, based at Bluecoat Wood Nurseries, hosted Banks Group’s anniversary reception, bringing together members of the company’s local team, contacts and community partners.

The charity, which supports adults with learning and other disabilities through practical training in horticulture, garden maintenance and crafts, has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the developer.

The event also celebrated Banks Group’s ongoing support for Horticap’s work, including a recent five-figure sponsorship which helped the charity purchase a new electric van.

The vehicle, which carries both Horticap and Banks Group branding, is used to transport students to gardens and community projects around the Harrogate area.

It also features an image of Horticap patron Alan Titchmarsh, who sent a surprise video message congratulating Banks Group on reaching its 50-year milestone.

Horticap currently supports around 55 adults with a range of disabilities, most of whom live in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon areas.

Through gardening and outdoor activities, students are able to develop horticultural skills while also building confidence, independence and communication abilities in a supportive environment.

Banks Group’s support has previously helped Horticap complete a number of improvements at its Bluecoat Wood Nurseries site.

In 2021, funding from the company helped transform the charity’s popular nature trail, with new seating areas, pond screening and interpretation boards introduced, alongside a new sunken garden which has become a valued social space for visiting schools and community groups.

Further funding of £4,821 in 2024 allowed Horticap to install two new 56ft-long polytunnels, creating improved growing spaces and better learning facilities for students.

Banks Group, which has its Yorkshire office near Harewood House, has operated across the county for decades through its property, renewable energy, housebuilding and mining businesses.

The company has previously developed housing schemes in Sheffield, Harrogate and Leeds, while it is currently progressing on new residential projects in areas including Harrogate, Hambleton, Hemsworth, Hunmanby, Shepley and Eggborough.

Harry Banks OBE DL, Chairman and Chief Executive at Banks Group, said: “Yorkshire has been a key market for us through almost all of our first 50 years and we wanted to celebrate everything that we’ve achieved in the county with our local contacts, as well as to highlight our exciting future plans here.”

Rob Ormrod, Land Director and Head of Banks Group’s Yorkshire office, added: “Horticap undertakes fantastic work which builds both the skills and the self-confidence of its students.

“Their beautiful gardens provided the perfect location for us to hold our Yorkshire anniversary reception, with the surprise message that they organised for us from Alan Titchmarsh being a lovely extra touch.”

Peter Hornby, Chairman of Horticap, said the charity was delighted to welcome Banks Group for the celebration.

He said: “We use horticulture as an educational tool in a supportive and friendly working environment in which our students can develop their social and communication abilities, and we see the positive results of what we do every single day.

“Banks Group has provided absolutely invaluable support for our work over many years and we were very happy to welcome them to our nursery for their special event.”

To find out more about Horticap, head to https://www.horticap.org/

For more information about Banks Group, visit https://www.banksgroup.co.uk/

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