News

Tuesday, 8 September 2009

A SPECIAL BANK HOLIDAY

For nine years we have enjoyed the pleasure of being invited to the wonderful Glen Chantry Gardens at Wickham Bishops, by the owners, Wol and Sue Staines on the afternoon of the August Bank Holiday. This year was for the last time as Wol and Sue are retiring and closing their gardens to the public.

These glorious gardens have been praised on TV, radio and in the National Press and have been appreciated by the RHS who gave them the title of "Recommended Garden". This Bank Holiday was therefore the last opportunity for the many friends and lovers of the gardens to say their farewells and a total of 806 appreciative people passed through the gates.

The car park was almost overflowing and we were able to serve afternoon teas and homemade cakes to the value of £964.60- incredible.

The result of our efforts is that we raised the princely sum of £4,706.19 for the RSPB, which includes a sponsorship of £750 from Barclays Bank. It also increased the amount that we have raised at the nine events we have held at Glen Chantry to the amazing sum of £19,225.05.

This is testament to a very hard working and dedicated team and to the hard work and generosity of Wol & Sue Staines, to whom we are extremely grateful. We offer them our very best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

Next year we have been invited to another garden in Wickham Bishops, at Wickham Place Farm by the kind invitation of Judith and Terry Wilson. We will be there on Sunday 16th May to provide our usual service but also to enjoy their magnificent wisteria which will be in full bloom.

Mike Logan Wood
Group Leader