Working from its home at the centre of the township of Blackden, in the parish of Goostrey, the Trust serves the local community. We support research into the history of Blackden and the surrounding area and we value and record local stories, biographies, and memories. These stories are part of the archive being collected by the Trust. They are passed on to the community through tours and courses for adults and children.

Frank Carter’s story is part of that history. He was born in Toad Hall and lived all his life in Blackden.  Frank Carter worked at Jodrell Bank, in the experimental gardens of the Biology Department of The University of Manchester.  When he retired he continued to work at the visitors’ centre.  He is legendary among gooseberry growers for developing seventeen new gooseberry cultivars.  All were grown from seed on Blackden soil.  He is one of the people that helped to form this place, and whose achievements deserve to be remembered.