Last year’s Open Gardens event was very successful. We had more than 700 people come round 33 lovely gardens, big and small, but all very lovely in their own way.
A small team of people are planning to do it again this year, over the weekend of 16th & 17th May, which is the weekend before the bank holiday weekend.
There will be a similar number of gardens which will be open this year including over 10 new ones. Most of the gardens are open both days between 11am and 5pm but there are some exceptions, and so please check the programme which is also your entry ticket to all of the participating gardens.
A map of the locations is available.
Programmes are now available from the Wivenhoe Bookshop, the Old Grocery Gallery and One Stop, the supermarket at Vine Parade and cost £5.
Last year. £5,000 was raised, hopefully we can do the same this year. The Church will be putting its share towards its Roof Appeal. The Church will be open on Saturday and on Sunday after the morning service from 1pm. Details about the Roof Appeal will be available. Cake, refreshments and toilets will also be available on both Saturday and Sunday.
The Wivenhoe Society intends to distribute its 50% share amongst local causes and organisations as it has doe previously. Last year 25 local organisations shared £2,500.
Open Gardens was started in 1987 by Len Horner, a former Chairman of The Wivenhoe Society and his wife, Anne, who was very involved with St Mary’s Church. Over the years, Open Gardens has raised a tremendous amount of money for St Mary’s Church and for many local causes.
So not only is the Open Gardens weekend a great social occasion, it does a whole lot of good too. So thank you to those gardeners who are willing to open their gardens for everyone to enjoy. It doesn’t matter how big or small the garden, they are all interesting.
Above: Some of the recipients of last year’s awards
Peter Hill, Chairman, Wivenhoe Open Gardens Team (tel: 01206 823073 Email: peter@toadhall2.co.uk)
