Open Day 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
OPEN DAY NEWS
We are still on a massive high after our best ever Open Day last
Sunday - 367 visitors on a perfect afternoon for garden visiting.
Warm but not too sunny with no threat of rain in the forecast. We
had a feeling from very early on that this was going to be a
special day as a steady stream of visitors began arriving even
before the official opening time of 1.00pm and didn't stop all
afternoon. All our helpers on teas, washing up, car parking and
plant sales were going full tilt and Moira and I scarcely stopped
talking all afternoon - nothing new there!!
So many lovely people and such complimentary comments about the
Gardens which even I had to admit (and I am my own worst critic)
look really good inspite of all the ups and downs of the weather
this "summer" The vegetable garden as is increasingly the case,
drew lots of attention reflecting the increasing numbers of people
growing veggies, as did the main herbaceous borders in the Paddock
Garden and as always the most commented upon flowers were the
simple ones like ladybird poppies and interestingly enough this
year, the numerous forms of thalictrums we have all over the
gardens.
The unusual nature of some of the plants (and we do grow a lot
of them) was a talking point for some people and it was good to
have enquiries in particular about the impatiens (balsams or
commonly "busy lizzies) family which do well in the gardens
especially the mighty tall and impressive impatiens tinctoria from
the highlands of Kenya, 7 foot tall with scented red and white
flowers, and the smaller but equally impresssive on account of its
blue flowers, impatiens namchabarwensis from Tibet. It was recently
found there in the deepest canyon in the world, three times the
depth of the Grand Canyon in America! They sold out within a few
minutes of opening!! Pics of both in July news to be published
soon.
In all we made £1750 on the day which added to the proceeds
already collected from 16 private visits takes our total revenue
for the year to a little under £4,000 and we still have four left
to come in August and September. We are overwhelmed and so grateful
to all our visitors and our many helpers without whom it would
simply not be possible to open the gardens. The charities that will
benefit from our takings (and those of about 3,500 other gardens
which open for The National Gardens Scheme in England and Wales)
include Marie Curie Cancer Care, Macmillan Cancer Support, Help The
Hospices, Caring for Careers, National Trust Gardening Careerships
and numerous other smaller charities. The 2 major cancer charities
receive almost half of the total raised revenue. So thank you to
everyone who makes this level of support available to these
worthwhile causes.
It was with some sadness that we had to inform visitors we will
not be having an Open Day next year. We are hoping to build a
conservatory some time in 2012 and we do not consider it prudent to
admit large numbers of visitors to the gardens whilst those works
are taking place. We much regret this because our openings have
become a firm fixture in the calendar of local events but if the
opportunity permits some time next year then we do hope to invite
private visits and for that reason will still have a Yellow Book
entry for 2012. The garden nursery will not be affected by the
works and will be open from May to September for your plant
purchases with the usual range of "treasures" for sale. Please give
us a ring or send us an e-mail if you would like to come to buy
plants (see Contact Details elsewhere in the website)
We have been having a week off with friends this week and have a
family wedding this weekend so this news is restricted to the Open
Day. July News in the usual format will appear some time next
week.
In the meantime here are some pics to give a small taster of a
never to be forgotten day
Our usual welcome banner - the quiet before the
storm!!
And here come the crowds. Its quite scary when you can't
see your lawn for people but don't they look a jolly lot led by Joy
and Sheila on the right of the picture.l
The car park filling up, plant sales in full swing
(bottom right hand corner) and visitors all over the
garden.
The Summer House Tea Rooms - waiting for business.
Shortly after this picture was taken there was a long
queue!
General view of the Paddock Garden across waterlily
pond. Seats filling up all over the gardens.
Plant sales in full swing. Many visitors make a bee line
for the Nursery on arrival and some appear to remain there all
afternoon! A plant creche enables them to to tour the gardens and
take tea unencumbered by their plants.
A weary couple raise a smile after an unfrogettable day!
Time for a few glasses of wine with friends and a well earned
rest.
Note Moira in her National Gardens Scheme Outfit of
yellow and black!