Gardens wanted for open weekend

ENTHUSIASTIC gardeners are invited to open their plots to the public as part of Desford Open Gardens Weekend 2017.

The horticultural festival has been held every other year since 2007 and typically attracts hundreds of visitors across the two days.

Ten gardeners have already committed to inviting people into their normally private green spaces this year but organisers would like to hear from others who would be willing to welcome visitors on Saturday and Sunday June 24 and 25 between 11am and 6pm.

In addition to the Desford gardens, there will be activities, attractions and lunches served at the village church and chapel, a pop-up cafe off Main Street, and more gardens to visit in neighbouring Botcheston.

While money raised from the sale of programmes will go to Desford Community Action Group which organises the weekend, individu- al gardeners are encouraged to raise funds for their own chosen causes by selling teas, cakes, plants and Pimm’s among other things.

Linda Mitchell, of Desford Community Action Group, said: “It has grown into a lovely community event for people to share ideas, look at our lovely gardens and raise money for charities.

“The gardens that open vary considerably in size and shape and are mostly ordinary gardens made by ordinary gardeners.

“We would love to have more gardens to include in this year’s programme.”

Gardens set to open range from a small back yard full of planted containers to a plot of several acres featuring themed garden rooms.

“What is common to all,” said co-ordinator Pat Crane, “is the love of gardens and the pride in sharing that pleasure with visitors.”

Programmes, which will be on sale at St Martin’s Church centre, cost £3.50 for adults (with accompa- nied under 16-year-olds free) and will be valid for the whole weekend.

Only assistance dogs will be allowed in the gardens.

Any profit will be put towards environmental projects in the village and have previously included bulb planting and the creation of a garden at Pickard Recrea- tion Ground.

Any gardener interested in taking part is asked to contact either Pat Crane on Hinckley 823537, or email her via patcrane33@ gmail.com. Alternativle contact Linda Mitchell on Hinckley 822197 (email lm.mitchell44@gmail. com) before the end of March.