Organisation

We are a registered charity, which is dependent on volunteers. We have a Council of Management to coordinate our work, and Committees who specialise in detailed aspects of it.

We have around 350 members who support our aim to improve awareness and appreciation of the value of parks, gardens and designed landscapes as part of our local and national inheritance. We are keen to welcome more members and more volunteers in every part of YGT.

Committees

Our Committees are made up of at least one trustee, who acts as a link between Committee and Council, volunteer members who are interested in the Committee’s specialism, and non-members who are co-opted onto a Committee for their expertise.

Committees meet regularly, as often as (but no more than) is needed. They may set up smaller working parties for particular purposes, which may exist for as long as they continue to be effective and functional. All our Committees and working groups are active, friendly, cooperative, creative and effective.

• Education
  We work with schools to create a new generation of enthusiasts by giving advice and providing grants.
• Conservation
  We help to preserve and conserve Yorkshire’s historic designed landscapes by commenting expertly on planning applications, advising owners on how to preserve them, and giving financial support through our Small Grants Scheme.
• Research and Recording
  We add to the body of knowledge about historic gardens and designed landscapes by conducting original research, using primary sources as well as published texts, and publishing our findings, making our reports freely available to everyone.
• Publications
  We communicate summaries of our work through a printed Newsletter twice a year and quarterly Newsletters online, and assist in the publication of books about Yorkshire's historic gardens, gardeners and designed landscapes.
• Community
  We hold that gardens and designed landscapes are important to everyone, and should be known and accessible to all. We deliver on that belief by organising garden visits for refugees, with our members acting as hosts and guides.
• Membership and Engagement
  Active, friendly membership is at the heart of YGT: we provide visits, lectures, newsletters and other activities, and welcome everyone who loves Yorkshire's gardens and designed landscapes.

Council of management

Our Council is made up of our trustees. Some Vice-presidents join us regularly, and we invite members to some meetings to give us advice and support with particular items. Council meets quarterly in January, April, July and October. When in-person meetings are possible we usually meet in central York, and allow time before and after for travel to and fro, for shopping and convivial afternoon teas (or similar).

• Chris Webb: Chair
• Val Hepworth: Conservation
• Maddy Hughes: Treasurer, Events Booking
• Vicky Price: Events
• Penelope Dawson-Brown
• Gail Falkingham
• Roger Lambert
• Chris Beevers: Horticultural Bursary
• Gillian Parker: Company Secretary
• Brendan Mowforth: Small Grants

Other Officers

• Louise Amende: Membership
• Sue Lindley: Schools
• Christine Miskin: Newsletter Editor
• Louise Wickham: Chair, Research & Recording & Website

President: The Countess of Harewood

Vice-Presidents: Peter Goodchild, Nick Lane Fox, Caroline Legard

Further information

You can find out more about how we are organised and what we do through our Memorandum and Articles of Association, our annual reports and development plans.