Annual Reception 2026 and Patrons Announced
On Thursday 10th September, the Powell-Cotton Trust held our Annual Reception 2026 event to celebrate this years’ successes and announce our new Patrons.
Powell-Cotton Trust Celebrates Landmark Centenary Year and Welcomes New Honorary Patrons
The Powell-Cotton Trust marked a year of celebration, growth and achievement at its Annual Reception event last week, bringing together supporters, partners, volunteers, funders and friends to reflect on a remarkable centenary year and look ahead to an exciting future.
The year 2026 marks the centenary of the charity that governs the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Quex Gardens. Throughout the year, the Trust has celebrated its rich heritage while continuing to invest in new experiences, community engagement, learning opportunities and conservation work.
At the event, CEO of the Powell-Cotton Trust, Sarah Corn, shared with guests a brief summary of the achievements to date. Among the year’s highlights was the launch of the Trust’s PCT100 centenary programme, accompanied by a refreshed brand, a new website and revitalised visitor displays. The celebrations began in February with The Big Museum Build, an imaginative community project that invited visitors to recreate the museum in cardboard, capturing the creativity of participants of all ages.
The centenary programme continued throughout the spring with a diverse range of exhibitions, events and community initiatives. Highlights included the Kent-wide Wheels of Time launch, attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, a volunteer awards ceremony celebrating the Trust’s garden volunteers and Sunshine Project participants, and a programme of exhibitions and cultural events that included contemporary artist Sam Parsons‘ installation, Africa Day celebrations and the popular Quex Garden Party.
Summer saw the opening of a major new Zulu exhibition and the launch of the Arts Council-funded PCT100 Creators Programme, and a busy period of horticulture in the garden as well as offering yoga session and special food experiences.
Sarah also shared the news that a new Guidebook was now available telling the ‘Story of Quex House & Gardens and the Powell-Cotton Museum’ along with a special exhibition marking the 160th anniversary of Percy Powell-Cotton’s birth in September, in Quex House ready for Heritage Open Day on Sunday 13th September.
Reflecting on the year’s achievements, Chair Ceri Ashley described 2026 as “one of the most ambitious years in the Trust’s recent history”, highlighting the impact of exhibitions, learning programmes, conservation work, community partnerships and investment in strengthening the organisation’s reputation as a unique heritage, education and cultural institution in Kent.
Announcing our Patrons
A key moment of the evening was the announcement of two new Honorary Patrons for the Trust: Bernadette Johnson and Martin Rowson as Honorary Patrons. Martin brings a longstanding connection to the organisation, including previous service as Chair, while Bernadette joins as a representative of the Powell-Cotton family, whose association with Quex spans generations.
The role of Patron is central to supporting the Trust’s vision of becoming “an inclusive, engaging and collaborative centre of excellence” that enables exploration of its world-class collections and gardens, delivering lifelong learning, research and social impact locally, nationally and internationally. Through advocacy, networking and strategic influence, Bernadette and Martin will help strengthen the Trust’s ability to engage new audiences, develop partnerships and extend its reach beyond Kent. The appointments also reflect a shared commitment to the Trust’s values of social responsibility, equity and courage, and to fostering meaningful public engagement with heritage and culture. Through their advocacy, Bernadette and Martin will help ensure that the Trust can continue to inspire curiosity, learning and discovery while securing the long-term sustainability of its collections and programmes.
Dr Ceri Ashley, Chair of the Powell-Cotton Trust, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Bernadette and Martin as Honorary Patrons of the Powell-Cotton Trust. Their support will help us share the stories within our collections with wider audiences, strengthen important partnerships and champion our vision for the future. As we continue to develop the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Quex Gardens as places of learning, research and community engagement, we look forward to working together to advance the Trust’s mission and impact.”
The Annual Reception served not only as a celebration of the Trust’s first 100 years, but also as a reminder of the collective efforts of staff, volunteers, trustees, donors, funders, partners, members and visitors who continue to shape its future. As the centenary year approaches its conclusion, the Trust is already looking ahead to 2027 and beyond with renewed confidence, ambition and support.
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