Winchelsea’s population usually more than doubles when the town’s gardeners hold their annual opening for the National Garden Scheme. This year was no exception. 750 visitors turned out and over £7,500 was raised for NGS charities. Nationally, the scheme distributes money to organisations working mostly in the field of nursing and cancer support – over £3.5 million last year.
It’s a great community effort, involving not just the owners of the nine gardens that opened, but also the friends and neighbours who staff the gates, bake cakes, serve the teas, and look after the car park. Winchelsea has been taking part since the 1980s and in that time over 50 different gardens have participated, including four newcomers this time.
Friary Gardeners mounted a plant stall and will receive half of the proceeds from the sale of teas. They work with people with learning difficulties and were founded in Winchelsea before moving to The Ridge in Hastings.
There was a follow-up opening for the Friends of the Memorial Hospital, Rye on Sunday afternoon which raised an additional £800.
On Saturday we had the delight of welcoming a coach party from Belgium. They were members of the Flanders Hardy Plant Society over on a short trip to visit Sissinghurst, Great Dixter and Winchelsea. What more need we say?
Image Credits: David Page .