A 93-year-old member of the Bent family has been recognised for 34 years of charitable fundraising through opening his beautiful garden to the public.
John Bent, whose family helped establish Bents Garden & Home, has raised more than £25,000 for nursing and caring charities supported by the National Garden Scheme (NGS).
John has opened Weeping Ash Garden, located next to the family’s garden centre, to visitors for 34 years as part of the scheme, combining his passion for horticulture with a long-standing commitment to good causes.
His contribution was recently celebrated at a special presentation attended by National Garden Scheme representatives from across the region.
The High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mark Llewellin, presented John with a certificate in recognition of his remarkable fundraising achievement.
Also attending were Marian and Brian Jones, NGS County Organisers for Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, and Jan Bashforth, NGS County Organiser for neighbouring Cheshire.
Weeping Ash Garden is particularly admired for its winter and spring planting, offering colour, interest and inspiration throughout the seasons.
John and his brother Ron took over the family business from their parents, Alfred and Margaret Bent. After leaving the business in the 1980s, John devoted his time to creating and developing the garden.
Although he now receives some help with its upkeep, John can still often be found tending to and enjoying the garden he has lovingly developed over many years.
Matthew Bent, Managing Director of Bents Garden & Home and a member of the third generation of the Bent family, said the family was incredibly proud of John’s achievements.
He said: “We’re incredibly proud of our Uncle John and everything he has achieved through his garden. To have opened Weeping Ash to the public for 34 years and raised more than £25,000 for such worthwhile causes is a fantastic achievement.
“At 93, John gets a little help with the garden’s upkeep, but he can still often be found tending to and enjoying the garden he has lovingly developed over many years.
“His passion for plants and the pleasure he gets from sharing his garden with others are an inspiration to us all.”
John’s recognition comes as the family-owned business prepares to celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2027.
From Alfred and Margaret Bent’s original rose-growing business to the destination garden centre it is today, Bents Garden & Home has remained rooted in a love of plants, gardening and bringing people together.
John’s 34 years of fundraising through Weeping Ash Garden represent a lasting contribution to the charitable causes supported by the National Garden Scheme.
Pictured from left to right: Matthew Bent (MD Bents Garden & Home); Jan Bashforth (Cheshire NGS County Organiser), Marian Jones (Lancashire NGS County Organiser), Mark Llewellin (High Sheriff of Greater Manchester), Brian Jones (Lancashire NGS County Organiser) and John Bent.
