On Saturday, 3rd September over 40 London community gardens will be opening their gates to the public. All of these green spaces are growing food and there will be garden tours, talks and tutorials, as well as produce to buy and homemade food, barbeques, and games. Some of the spaces will also be part of guided walking and bike tours. For more information click the image.
The latest edition of Alastair Sawday’s ‘Special Places to stay in Britain for Garden Lovers’ has just been published. It is crammed full of lovely houses to stay in, with wonderful gardens to wander through. If I could work out a way to get my garden to look after itself, I could spend months wandering round the country visiting them. £12.99 plus £2.99 p&p from www.sawdays.co.uk
Despite steady rain in the morning, the visitors proved themselves to be a hardy lot and by the end of the day over 730 enthusiasts had been to inspect the garden. Gradually the weather improved and eventually the sky was a cloudless blue. The visitors said many lovely things, a substantial amount of money was raised for the Hospice and we were happy that our efforts had all been worthwhile. With our many narrow paths in the garden we again used a one way system which meant that there was none of the damage that happens when people are pushing past one another in different directions. A tip to remember.
Stephanie Donaldson’s garden is one of 16 gardens that are open in and around Hastings Old Town from 10.30-4pm on Saturday July 31st in aid of St Michael’s Hospice. The whole town will be en fete and the £5 entrance fee is for all the gardens. They are within a short (but hilly) walk of one another and will be clearly marked. Parking is limited so it is best to park outside the Old Town and walk, or travel by public transport.
