Bakewell Agricultural And Horticultural Society

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £10,000 (training grants)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Up to £1,000 per grant
• Geographic Focus: Within 30 miles of Bakewell (covering parts of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and South Yorkshire)

Contact Details

Address: Agricultural Business Centre, Agricultural Way, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1AH

Website: www.bakewellahs.co.uk

Email: bridget.hope@bakewellahs.co.uk

Phone: 01629 812736

Overview

The Bakewell Agricultural and Horticultural Society was registered as a charity on 23 March 1995 (charity number 1045165). With total income of £238,666 and expenditure of £191,482 (as of 31 December 2024), the Society operates as a charitable company run by a Board of Directors elected by members. The organization's mission is "the staging of agricultural & horticultural events to help bring town and country together and to promote understanding of the rural way of life." Their strategic approach combines event management (including the Bakewell Country Festival and operating the Bakewell Showground) with direct grant support to individuals working in the land-based sector. The Society awards £10,000 annually through its training grants scheme, supporting skills development in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. The organization operates with 60 volunteers and maintains strong governance policies including safeguarding, risk management, and financial controls. No trustees receive remuneration for their work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Training Grants Programme: Up to £1,000 per individual grant (10 grants awarded annually, totalling £10,000)

The awards are distributed to individuals throughout the year and can be used for:

• Part payment for course fees and training courses
• Books and equipment
• Professional qualifications and certifications
• Skills development in land-based sectors

Applications are submitted through a two-stage process: initial contact via their website form, followed by completion of a formal application form.

Priority Areas

The Society supports individuals involved in:

• Agriculture: Including livestock management, fertiliser advising (FACTS courses), grass health and soil management, farm business skills
• Horticulture: Supporting horticultural training and qualifications
• Forestry: Including chainsaw qualifications, woodland management
• Land-based skills: LANTRA courses, dry stone walling, shearing, veterinary skills, pesticide and rodent control training

Geographic eligibility: Applicants must live within a 30-mile radius of Bakewell, covering parts of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and South Yorkshire.

Age: Open to individuals of all ages

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the grants are limited to:

• Individuals only (not organizations)
• Training and skills development specifically
• Land-based sectors (agriculture, horticulture, forestry)
• Applicants within the specified geographic area

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Governance and Leadership

The Society is governed by a Board of Directors with seven trustees who are elected by members. All trustees serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration.

Current Trustees (as of 2024):

• Ian Else (Chair)
• Harry Madin
• Margaret Ann Williams
• John Andrew Moorcroft
• Paul James Clayton
• Linda Jane Robbins
• Anne Tipple

The Society operates with strong governance frameworks including policies for safeguarding, risk management, financial controls, conflict of interest, and volunteer management. The organization is recognized by HMRC for gift aid and owns/leases land and property.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The application process follows two stages:

Stage 1: Initial contact

• Visit the contact page on www.bakewellahs.co.uk
• Complete the contact form providing:
• Your details (name, location)
• A brief overview of what you require funding for

Stage 2: Formal application

• The Society will send you a formal application form to complete
• Submit the completed form for consideration

Application method: Two-stage process via website contact form, then formal application form (rolling basis throughout the year)

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Applicants should contact the Society directly for information about when they might expect a decision.

Success Rates

The Society awards 10 grants per year from their training grant scheme. The total number of applications received annually is not publicly available, so success rates cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Prospective applicants should contact the Society directly to inquire.

Application Success Factors

Based on the examples of successful grant recipients, the following factors appear important:

Relevance to land-based sectors: Successful applications demonstrate clear connection to agriculture, horticulture, or forestry. Examples include:

• Charlotte received funding for a FACTS course to provide full agronomy services and advise customers on fertiliser requirements
• Sarah Green received funding for a shearing course
• One recipient used funding for grass health and soil management courses, noting: "It's been very useful attending the courses held by Niels Corfield and refreshing our knowledge on the importance of good grass health. The courses have balanced theory and practical work, which required us going out onto our fields and studying our soils and grass with the support of the 'Soil Mentor' app."

Professional development focus: Grants support qualifications and training that enhance professional capabilities in land-based industries

Practical application: Successful projects demonstrate how the training will be applied in practice. The recipient of grass health training noted that “the results from the tests have since helped us identify what practices will help us improve our grass health without the need of synthetics”

Local impact: Being within the 30-mile radius of Bakewell and demonstrating contribution to the local rural economy

Clear funding purpose: Successful applicants provide a clear explanation of what specific training, course, books, or equipment they need funding for in their initial contact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is essential: You must live within 30 miles of Bakewell to be eligible, covering parts of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and South Yorkshire
• Start with the contact form: The two-stage application process begins with a simple contact form where you introduce yourself and explain what you need funding for
• Focus on professional development: Grants support training, courses, qualifications, books, and equipment that enhance skills in agriculture, horticulture, or forestry
• Maximum £1,000 per grant: Plan your application accordingly, noting that this can be used as “part payment” for courses or equipment
• Open to all ages: The scheme welcomes applications from individuals at any career stage in land-based sectors
• Demonstrate practical application: Show how the training will be used in your work and contribute to the local rural economy
• Limited availability: Only 10 grants are awarded annually (£10,000 total), so competition may be significant

References

• Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society official website, Training Grants page: https://www.bakewellahs.co.uk/training-grants
• Charity Commission Register: Bakewell Agricultural and Horticultural Society, Charity Number 1045165: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1045165/full-print
• Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society, About page: https://www.bakewellahs.co.uk/about
• Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society, Contact page: https://www.bakewellahs.co.uk/contact-us
• Companies House, Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society overview: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02949715