 |
|
|
National Garden Scheme.
|
|
The Garden will open next year on Sunday the 21st of June
2009.
When in 2006 we were inspected as to our suitability or not
for the NGS, the county organiser, although she did accept us, expressed concern that the garden might not be big
enough to provide 45 minutes of interest. (This garden is about one acre, you should just try weeding it! )
At first I was more than a little astonished but she did us a big favour as we both re-assessed what we had done
and set about adding many more features to the garden and extending those we had already done. I suppose
you could say we started to think outsid the box. What had initially been a shock was in fact a great help.
Our very first open day, 24th of June 2007
|
|
The lead up to the big day was stressful and heartbreaking due to the dreadful
storms and torrential rains of this early summer. Our hearts went out to all those people trying to share their planting and
passion with other like minded gardeners whilst helping to contribute to the charitable causes so dear to eveyone.
After three massive days of storms and constant rescuing of plants and foliage,
the Saturday prior to opening dawned as a sunny and unexpected bonus. We toiled to dress and present our home and garden for
the following day but with heavy mood based on the horrendous forecast prevailing. A grey, damp overcast day duly arrived.
Yet as it unfolded the weather warmed, skies cleared and at two o' clock we opened.
Just one light shower interrupted a slendid afternoon and some 164 "guests"
were able to visit and relax in our cottage garden. Helpers from family and neighbours resulted in a success beyond our wildest
hopes and relieved the anxiety we had lived with for many days. Tea and cakes flew out the door and all our visitors were
most complimentary, together with a pleased body from our NGS committee.
For any visitors, friends or family reading this, thank you all and please
come again next year!
| Some of our younger visitors 2008 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The herb partier in it's third summer, dressed for the day! |
To see so many people enjoying the garden was wonderful, it was like a giant
garden party except we knew very few of the guests.
|
|
| Visitors enjoy a welcome tea. |
These photos were taken by one of our visitors. The camera was fully
charged up and ready to go but we were so busy that we both forgot to take any pictures. I must say it was so good
to see all these people enjoying the garden. At one point we did think there were almost too many people but we know
that your first year of opening is likely to be busier as a lot of people target "new" gardens. We were very lucky with
the rain staying away and the sun shining, our hearts have gone out to others who were not so lucky. The work we did
getting the garden ready would have been done anyway, however we would not have put on teas for 164 people!
|
|
|
|
|
|
The day closes for 2007, 164 visitors enjoyed the garden and we raised
£730.00 for Macmillan Cancer Relief, in 2008 we had nearly the same number which is a very good result. We also opened
on two occasion for private visits from local gardening clubs and this year we raised a total of £990.00!
a passion for a cottage and a garden
|
|
|
