Mark Radcliffe backs Rivington Heritage Trust appeal to preserve historic gardens for future generations

The Bolton School old boy is the latest big name to support an appeal to raise money for the upkeep of the restored gardens, which because of the pandemic has lost tens of thousands of pounds through cancelled events.

Under the ‘Squarea’ initiative members of the public can sponsor a patch of land in the Japanese Garden, the Italian Lake, the Dell, the Woodlands, or the Lawns on the gardens, with funds being used to maintain the Rivington Gardens.

(MAGICAL: Rivington Terraced Gardens.          Picture: Jonathan Ellison Photography)

Mark is sponsoring a patch on the great lawn.

He said: “Rivington is a very special place to me.

“I lived in Heaton, at the bottom of old Kiln Lane, so in the summer holidays I would cycle up there and just go out there all day.

“I am a big fan of Rupert the Bear and it was like being in a Rupert the Bear annual. You were just running free in the countryside and suddenly you would just come upon the Japanese Lane and next time you went you could never find it again.

“There were these mysterious things like the Pigeon Tower. As a child it was wonderland so it is a very important part of my childhood .

“I think the appeal is fantastic. I guess I didn’t really realise how close it was all in danger of being lost. Now I see that and I see the work they have put in and know it will be there for future generations of children to explore I think that it is fantastic and magical and if I can help a little bit in anyway then I am absolutely delighted to do it.”

(Pigeon Tower)

The visit to his childhood idyll took him on a nostalgic journey as he revisited old haunts.

He said: “Terraced gardens inspired me to retrace my childhood steps.”

Sponsors of each Squarea will receive a personal certificate.

For more information about the initiative, visit rivingtonterracedgardens.org.uk/get-involved/squarea.