Leaving a legacy to help others grow: Nancy Rothwell’s gift to Ness Botanic Gardens
Throughout its history, Ness Botanic Gardens has been cultivated and shaped by generous donations given through gifts and legacies. Each gift received, regardless of its size, has contributed towards botanical research, education, conservation, and the maintenance, and care that goes into keeping the gardens blooming for all to enjoy.
Last year Ness received a generous gift in will by the late Mrs Nancy Rothwell, who first developed a fondness of the gardens in 1978 after moving to the Wirral and exhibiting some of her paintings there. In addition to her painting, Mrs Rothwell was a scientist with many other professional talents including public relations, journalism, photography, and of course gardening.
Mrs Rothwell volunteered at Ness, and making the most of her many skills, took over editorship of the Friends of Ness Newsletter from 1993 until 1999. Some may remember her for introducing a cover in colour for the first time and upgrading the design and content of the publication.
When Mrs Rothwell sadly passed away in November 2018, she demonstrated her affection for Ness Botanic Gardens by leaving a gift in her will. This gift shall be used to enhance the adult education experience at the Ness through educational initiatives such as Royal Horticultural Society theory and practice-based teaching, which in turn shall greatly benefit the world of botany and Ness gardens.
Nancy Rothwell was a tremendous supporter of the Gardens and we were greatly moved by her bequest. We are currently working on plans to use her gift wisely and it will allow us to provide public access to some behind-the-scenes areas in the gardens, and help support in the expansion of our adult teaching programme enabling us to introduce practical RHS courses in the 2021-22 academic year.
Matthew Clough - Director of Ness Botanic Gardens
If you would like further information about supporting the University or Ness Botanic Gardens through your Liverpool legacy, please contact Carolyn Jones, Legacy Officer, via: carolyn.jones@liverpool.ac.uk or visit: liverpool.ac.uk/giving/legacies.