Spring is sprung
The grass is riz
I wonder where the boidies is?
They say the boid is on the wing
But that’s obsoid
It is the wing that’s on the boid.
Or other versions. The sense comes through that just maybe the worst of our winter has passed. And what has actually kept me afloat in these two months of almost consistent rain is the thought of our Rye Open Gardens.
In case you are new to this charitable summer scheme, about 22 gardens in Rye kindly
open to anyone prepared to pay the princely sum of £4 for an hour of gossip, coffee/tea
and cake and basking in the glory of other people’s effort in their gardens, large and small.
Everyone is given a raffle ticket on arrival, and the modest raffle draw is held near
the end of the morning, and our prizes range from the wonderful to the weird and
ridiculous, supplied by our valiant garden owners. For example tickets to a screening, a
hoover belt (circa 1973), a pretty jumper or a spare garden plant. Anything goes and is
gratefully received.
Should you feel you would like to be a part of this Monday morning scheme (11am to noon) as an opener (yes please!) or a visitor, do get in touch with me (contact details below) and you will be welcomed with open arms. Incidentally, my team bring the cups and thermoses etc. and serve the coffee or tea. The kind opener however, supplies the cake!
Last year we raised well in excess of £6,000 for local charities (our church, our hospital,
Rye Foodbank, the community bus and St. Michael’s Hospice). We also printed a
calendar of “The Secret Gardens of Rye” which swelled our coffers most satisfactorily. So I (we) will be keen on lots more photographs of the unexpected and beautiful gardens of Rye for next year’s calendar.
So do join in!
Col Everett on colkins@btinternet.com or 07850 219956. Thank you.
Image Credits: Col Everett .